God has a purpose in everything that He does. Being the good Father that He is, He designs our lives with all kinds of opportunities to grow and change and become more like Him. We may never know all that He intends to teach us and show us about Himself through the Coronavirus. But a few things are already becoming obvious.
As I began my sermon last Sunday, I mentioned that this was the first time I have ever stood in the pulpit on Easter Sunday and preached to an empty church. As I think about that now, not too many times have I stood in the pulpit and preached to a full church – unless of course someone dies. It is an odd time. It is a strange time. It is a scary time. The Coronavirus has changed the world. It has changed our lives. We will be telling this story as long as we live – to our children and grandchildren, and even their children will read about it in the history books.
I, like many of you, am affected by the shut down because of the Coronavirus. I am now teaching my college students online from my living room. I miss the face-to-face interaction with them, and I worry about their safety and whether some of them will finish the semester. Some of them have only half-heartedly done their work since we had to quit meeting in the classroom.
Being in this quarantine has allowed me to reflect on the things we have always taken for granted like buying toilet paper, attending church, or celebrating a high school graduation. I never appreciated visiting friends, going to a restaurant to eat a meal, or the ability to attend a class in person. I didn’t appreciate the right to go to work or visit a loved one in a nursing home. I failed to realize that so many freedoms were wonderful, everyday things I took for granted. Medical procedures (non-emergency) and dental appointments were a luxury we cannot enjoy right now. Watching a live sporting event, while fun, was not something I truly appreciated. I will never take for granted being able to watch sporting events throughout the entire year ever again. Being able to come home and watch the NCAA basketball tournament or watch the beginning of the Major League Baseball season… which would be under way if under normal circumstances. The beginning of April usually represents the beginning of the NBA postseason as well. I am such a massive sports fan, and this has definitely changed my perspective even more so on the things that are part of our normal routines that we currently do not get to enjoy. The worst part is not knowing when this pandemic will reach its conclusion. Each of us are already looking towards the future, but a future that is completely up in the air for everyone.
Well by now everyone is pretty much hunkered down for the shelter in place order. There will be some tense moments, as people get on each other’s nerves from time to time. But in years to come, you will only remember the good parts and not the occasional bickering or occasional fight.
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PO Box 577
Olney, Texas 76374
Phone: (940) 564-5558
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