The past week has been similar to watching a train wreck, difficult to watch but impossible to turn away from.
Family, friends, coworkers and neighbors — all the people that make up the fabric of my life are being impacted by this global pandemic. Never before have I had an opportunity to so universally relate to the world around me.
A friend of mine wrote in her blog about the global social distancing mandates and what those mean for Christians. "There will be casualties, human and economic," she wrote. "We will grieve that. But we do not have to make our courage, civility or compassion one of them."†
Her words struck a chord with me. In the space of a few days, the way I do life has radically changed. What's important for me is to not create casualties of what's truly important.
With worship services suspended, personal and family devotional time are that much more important. Our new reality is an opportunity to do all I can to care for the most vulnerable, while at the same time sharing the hope we have in Jesus' soon return.
King David penned words so fitting for the crisis today. His words call on the Creator and remind me that no matter how the world is changing, I can shelter in His care. His strength will help me show compassion and light in the midst of the chaos.
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.9 If you say, "The Lord is my refuge,"
and you make the Most High your dwelling,10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.14 "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation."—Psalm 91 ESV
† On COVID-19, Community, and How We Will Choose to Live
