As I sit at my kitchen table writing this I am struck by the contrast between what I’m reading online and what I’m seeing with my eyes. Over the last couple of days I’ve been asking myself a reality check question: Is this really happening? Is there an incurable virus infecting people all over the world? Are airlines canceling most of their flights? Are restaurants and factories closing? I’m not in denial; I know this is happening, it all just still seems so distant.
The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed today in our county and our premier has now ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses. Until today COVID-19 was something we were observing from afar, and then from a bit closer as it made its way to a mid-sized Canadian city close to where we live. And now this disease is making its way even to here, small-town southwestern Ontario.
Still, the surreality of it all is striking. To this point, what we’re reading about has been the stuff only of the early scenes of post-apocalyptic novels and movies. And yet, right now, it is happening, and people are responding in a variety of ways. Some are skeptical and others are scared.
To the Skeptical…
Skeptics wonder if it’s really all as bad as the media and our government officials are telling us. Granted, with the penchant for sensationalism on the part of some of the media, and the lust for attention and control on the part of some of our politicians, there may very well be aspects of this crisis that are being overstated. And some may be positioning themselves for greater access to the levers of power once the crisis has abated.
But I know enough medical and public health professionals to know that this is real and is in fact a big deal. So take the precautions they are asking us to take. And if you are reading this and consider yourself a Christian, you are bound to obey the government even if you feel they are issuing unwise directives. Unless you can demonstrate that they are compelling you to sin, heed the teaching of Romans 13 and obey commands of 1 Timothy 2:1-3.
To the Scared…
For those who are scared, let’s admit: there are many legitimate reasons to be scared right now. An incurable infectious disease is spreading across the globe, our economy seems to be grinding to a halt, and we have no good idea of a timeline for this crisis. Is it weeks, months or years? All of this is taxing for those who are normally calm and stable, but for those already struggling with mental health this is devastating.
The Bible speaks of fear and anxiety quite a bit. To summarize: it says we shouldn’t be fearful or anxious. Matthew 6:25-34, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7 all speak clearly to this. But far from being trite, simplistic commands, these statements are rooted in deep wisdom and even deeper eternal truths. God knows that we WILL worry, so he gives us the tools to deal with that worry. God knows that we WILL be anxious, so he explains why we need not be. It is up to us, then, to remind ourselves and each other of these truths and to aspire to fully immerse ourselves in the effort to live them out.
Not Skeptical or Scared
Careful inquiry is always warranted in unusual times when people stand to gain anything, and in the midst of this crisis there are those who see opportunities for improper gain. But don’t twist that careful inquiry into an ungodly skepticism that will blunt your ability to use reason and exercise caution. And being scared is an understandable response to so much uncertainty, but to be paralyzed with fear will prevent you from caring for yourself and for the many others around you who need your help.
We can avoid both by continuing to walk as disciples of Jesus, who, while living through his own crisis, first asked God that it would pass without incident, and when the answer was no, firmly committed himself to doing whatever God determined was best.
Our prayer today should follow his example. We should most certainly pray that this crisis will come to an end immediately, but if the answer is no, we should commit ourselves to work in cooperation with God to accomplish whatever it is he is accomplishing through this.