It has been a while since I wrote a blog in the traditional sense, we have been doing a lot of video. This COVID-19 has me wanting to do both. We have a video already published addressing this Corona Virus for parents but I wanted to maybe add a little more.
Liela and I went grocery shopping last night and this is some of what we found. We already knew that there had been a run on toilet paper, hand soap and hand sanitizer. It already appeared that fear was driving irrational shopping. Just a few days ago someone was stabbed at a Sam’s Club over bottled water in Georgia. Fear, panic and irrational behavior.
Fear, outside of the Fear of the Lord, is a direct onslaught to faith. The two can not reside in the same heart, one will always be forced into submission by the other. Which one wins? The one you give heed to. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:7 that “we walk by faith and not by sight.” If we give heed to the sights of today’s store shelves, news reports and even social media post and let them rule our minds we will let fear win.
Even as we walked those aisles of Walmart yesterday I am constantly reminded of Gods commands in scripture to not be afraid. There is no promise anywhere in scripture that says we will not experience trials and tribulations. James tells us to count it all joy when, not if, but when you face various trials. What’s amazing about that is when I make sure I am viewing my circumstances through a lens of faith rather than fear I actually do feel joyful right now. This COVID-19 situation is a tremendous opportunity for the body of Christ. I am excited. Do I feel and empathy with those who are sick or are fearful? Absolutely! But here’s the thing, I am a carrier. Not a disease carrier, I am a Hope carrier. I live by a Hebrews 11:1 & 6 paradigm. I carry a supernatural hope that empowers my faith. It wells up inside of me that even right now in this trial God is ready to release supernatural hope to a confused hurting world. And I get to be a part of that. You know what? So do you! You can be a part of releasing Hope and Faith to a confused, fearful world. And we do that through loving people. Faith, Hope, and Love.
Let me list out just a few opportunities you have right in front of you:
- The number 1 opportunity is to share the gospel. People are afraid, children are afraid, but the love of Jesus as expressed in His life, crucifixion, burial and resurrection is, according to 1 John chapter 4 “perfect love” that cast out fear. The Gospel is a game changer in whether fear or faith wins the day. Tell people why your not afraid, because you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and because of that relationship it is an anchor of hope to my soul that whether the COVID-19 virus becomes an apocalypse or not I will be just fine either way. I know in whom I belong and my perspective is eternal not temporal.
- This is a great opportunity for family discipleship. Schools are out, sports activities and extracurricular activities cancelled. What can you do with that kind of opportunity? Have dinner together, talk about the Corona virus, ease fears, share a biblical worldview, play a game together, read your Bible together. The opportunities to rethink, reset and restart family are right in front of you. Carpe Diem… sieze the day.
- Be social. No I don’t mean waste all your available time on social media, in fact I mean the opposite. Be the hands and feet of Jesus. Start a meal train for sick neighbors and friends. Serve the underprivileged. 1 John 3:17 says he “who has the worlds goods (stuff) and sees a brother in need yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” This is not giving money to charity, this is loving people through sharing what you already have… like toilet paper. Like groceries. Like coats, clothes, blankets and more. Maybe it’s time that you need to give. What do you have that you can give? How about sharing your Minno password to a family needing some wholesome entertainment for their kids at home? That Tee’s up the next thought:
- I bet you know of a family struggling due to having their kids home from school. I bet you could babysit for them. I bet you could help them with lunches that the kids used to get at school. Or Minno ?
- Be creative. Ask Holy Spirit what can I do? Listen to Matthew West song “Do Something” over and over until your creative juices are flowing. Make it a family activity, ask your kids and spouse: “how can we bless someone in need?” I bet they come up with some great ideas.
- Be an encourager. Call, text, email, send a real physical card (yes I know this is challenging for many) to those around you. Use social media to spread the message of Hope, not fear!
- Here is what one a friend’s church does, I absolutely love it. You could do this in a modified form:
Who will you be during this crisis a person of Faith or a person of Fear? I choose Faith, I choose to be a carrier. Won’t you join me?
I close with my son’s recent message @Harvest church on Faith. Its a good reminder of how we should be living.