COVID-19 CRISIS QUESTIONS

Every crisis creates questions. In prison, John the Baptist sent a question to Jesus asking, “Are you the coming one or, look we for another?” When the disciples could not cast out a demon, they asked Jesus: “Why could we not cast it out?” In the dark of night, on a boat tossed by wind and wave, the disciples asked: “Carest not that we perish?” Every crisis creates questions.

Consider with me for a few minutes at least three crisis questions as we all move through the days ahead.

IF THIS CRISIS WAS THE “BEGINNING OF THE END” WOULD WE BE READY? That is not a far-fetched question. In Starbucks last Thursday, the cashier asked me, “Could this be the end of the world?” So....if this was the end...WOULD YOU BE READY? Are your children ready? Is your family ready? Are our neighbors ready? If we are not ready - we can get ready by trusting in Christ Jesus and what He did on the cross as the payment for our sins and then from that point on, walk with God. Is there anyone in your family that is not saved? This is a good time to have a conversation with them about their relationship with God. IF YOU ARE NOT READY YOU CAN BE - Saying Yes to Christ Jesus and trusting in what He did on the cross as payment for our sins results in every sin being forgiven and us being in a right relationship with God.

WHAT ARE THE “TAKE AWAYS” FROM THIS CRISIS EXPERIENCE? The truth is this is the first time in our lifetime that we have seen a state-wide, country-wide, world-wide crisis. So, what do we learn from this? One of the first things that became real to me is the reality that we are more fragile than we thought we were. In ONE WEEK, life as we knew it CHANGED DRASTICALLY. Comfort and convenience breed an attitude of being self-consumed.... pre-occupied with “me” and “mine”. We can’t live like that and be truly effective for God in a world that desperately needs God. The second thing I see from this is God’s Church is truly AMAZING! In response to an unthinkable crisis—God’s people have stepped up and done whatever it takes to still do ministry. Pastors and church leaders have been creative and innovative. Thank You pastors, for all you are doing in a difficult time to continue to make the church effective and relevant in the midst of a crisis.

IS THIS JUST A UNIQUE AND UNFORTUNATE SITUATION THAT WILL SOON PASS AND NEVER OCCUR AGAIN? Indeed, this is a unique and unfortunate situation. The people of this country have never experienced anything like this that affects every person regardless of profession or position. And, this WILL pass. THIS VIRUS may never occur again, on this level but, I can assure you on the authority of God’s Word THIS WON’T BE THE LAST CRISIS WE FACE. II Timothy 3:1 says that in the last days perilous times WILL come. There is no decree or declaration from any government that can stop that. Perilous/dangerous times will increase as we get closer to the rapture of the Church. These are not the days to maintain a social distance from God. Hear me today.... every Christian regardless of doctrine or denomination needs to draw close to God and stay close to God.

Today is a great day to reaffirm our faith in God. May our focus be on God who loves us with an everlasting love. May there be fresh fire in our spirit and a fortitude that causes us to move forward, despite fear.