CERTAIN IN A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY
Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – May 2020, Pastor Lloyd Pulley
Who could have foreseen the arrival of the worldwide crisis which now shakes the earth to its core, closing business and church; uprooting ritual and routine? Who can know the next step to take, with playbook unseen, in the unchartered territory of the Covid-19 pandemic?
Talking heads have argued, wrangled and pointed fingers for weeks on every media outlet. Inflammatory websites of every kind are stirring up primal emotions with fear on the one side and anger on the other. But as a community of believers in Jesus, our concern is not in assigning blame or pushing an agenda; our hearts are focused on how to continue helping the many whose lives are in jeopardy and whose livelihoods are now threatened.
Though not able to meet together, we realize church is not just a building we gather in. It is not just a sermon heard from a pulpit every weekend. And it was not mere force of law that moved us to responsible social distancing. A more powerful motivation of genuine love and concern for others; caused us to act quickly for the vulnerable and at-risk among us.
The very word church means "called out ones," and those a part of it are the ones who have responded to the call of the gospel, being called out of a life of selfishness and sin to be restored to God by the sacrificial death of His son Jesus. The church building makes for convenience, but most of the early church existed in home gatherings and underground meetings due to the threat of persecution. And oddly enough, the church has experienced the most growth during times of persecution.
Our great concern is the devastating effect of long-term isolation. We were made to be in regular relationship with God and also with people. Perhaps some are dying not just from the virus but out of loneliness and hopelessness from being isolated in hospital rooms. Testimonies of patients having turned the corner to wellness attribute recovery to encouragement and prayer by healthcare workers. My wife and I have learned first-hand how important personal contact is while managing the grief over the loss of our son in an auto accident this last month. Though we could not hold a service, there was no shortage of creative ways those who loved us reached out and made their presence known. And that is what we want to do during social distancing. Just as the church adapted with creative ways to serve in times past during persecution or plague, now we, with this pandemic challenge, want to do likewise.
In the Bible, the book of Ruth tells how Naomi after suffering the loss of her two sons and husband in the land of Moab, returned home to Israel with only a daughter-in-law. In her agony she said, "I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has pronounced judgment on me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?" (Ruth 1:21)
And so it seemed from her perspective at the time. But Naomi’s cry was also mixed with a stubborn faith as she held on; though she felt deep loss and pain. With no visible evidence of God’s aid she still honored Him. Soon she saw a glimmer of hope which turned into one of the most astounding providential examples of God’s grand purpose: the salvation of the nation through her great-great-grandson, David, and eventually the whole world through the Son of David, Jesus.
We should not be surprised that plagues, disasters and threats are trending global in nature now. The Bible predicted future tribulation of such magnitude that this world has never seen. God is just and one day He must settle and close all accounts with His rebellious creation and set up His Kingdom.
Perhaps the bigger purpose with Covid-19 is that it acts as a merciful reminder that this world is moving toward final judgment, a day of reckoning for every person. Perhaps He is seeking to get our attention and that we would be wise to turn towards Him, to discover the truth of His Word and to believe He has provided a way of escape through His own son’s death.
We do not sorrow as those who have no hope, knowing one day we will be reunited with our son. We also believe He who created us and who knows all, will work all things together for good. Plus, we were not without a huge amount of loving and caring support around us during our sorrow.
And because we have so received, we want to shine our light while we have opportunity that others may find the love of God and experience a rich community of people such as we enjoy. I am so proud of our leadership creatively making ways for people to connect. And so, we as His church, His called-out ones, will be there for you as He has been there for us.