Dear Trekker,
A few days ago I thought I knew what I wanted to share with you this month! But alas – I am not sharing it. How can one not think about, pray about, do something about, and write about the coronavirus? So here goes!
Life can change on a dime! Just today a magazine I received in the mail has a lead investing story, “What Kills Bull Markets.” “Bull markets don’t die of old age. They die from fright.” Somewhat true, but also a pretty accurate description of the effect of the coronavirus on the global and U.S. economy. Daily updates this month about the COVID-19 virus are rattling nerves everywhere, and for good reason.
And, of course, people are dying from it. (Here we want to be careful…all people are dying and some will die every day from something. Particularly for a trekker, this world is not our home, as the song says, nor our security!) Death is certain, unless God whisks one away in a chariot, but don’t count on it. So death is not the problem – ever. Preparation for it is, and all a good soldier or trekker can do. And the sooner we prepare, the better, since individual death notifications are not sounded by an alarm clock.
Yet, this heretofore unknown virus has everyone’s attention! A couple of weeks ago one of my adult children challenged me to not be cavalier about this virus scare! Good point! Being cavalier about much of anything in life is not a recipe for success. For sure, our world has been capsized. I was reminded of this quite ironically as I viewed a 79-million-dollar yacht capsize in a Greek harbor, there for repairs. Repairs indeed! More than planned – like our nation’s economic fallout.
When challenged by one of my children as above mentioned, I did what I suggest we all do…examine ourselves and our attitude and perspective, but also, examine what God has said, as well as Who He is and the role He plays in His world! Remember, the world is His, every inch of it, and nothing has ever, or will ever, happen to it that He doesn’t allow or even orchestrate for His glory. All of this of course is true, whether an individual chooses to believe it or not… which is another story!
But I need to digress here ever so slightly. Just today a trekker brought to my attention a Q&A from the Heidelberg Catechism, a belief/doctrinal statement (1563) coming out of the Reformation period. Question 28 of the Catechism states: “What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by His providence doth still uphold all things?” Answer: “That we may be patient in adversity, thankful in prosperity, and that in all things, which heretofore may befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from His love, since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will, they cannot so much as move.” Whew! Do you believe it trekker? I certainly do!
In the above context, I have been meditating a lot recently on one of my favorite, most meaningful Scripture passages, the Upper Room discourse in John 13-16. I suggest you do some reading here as well, trekker. Jesus is informing, preparing and equipping His disciples for what was to come after His death, resurrection and sending of the Holy Spirit to indwell, propel and empower them forward after His Ascension. At the very end of Ch. 16, He says (v. 33), “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. (Remember, trekker, peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22, 23). In this world you will have trouble/tribulation. But take heart, have courage! I have overcome the world.”
Trekker, Jesus’ spirit-filled life is love, peace and joy in the midst of a capsized world always out of balance, particularly when God is eliminated from the picture, personally and culturally. Tribulation blossoms when God is excluded from life explanations. Viruses are a part of the fallen nature of creation. Man is not in control of all things, only God is! God allows man to “rule and reign” over creation. Will we get on top of this virus? History says, “this too shall pass.” God allows man to overcome. He “uses” man to hold nature in check, although he doesn’t need man to control the universe. He creates and maintains sovereignly! What appears random to man is God at work!
Tribulation/trouble comes when something in creation gets out of whack, out of creation’s balance. Life problems (unexpected occurrences, unpredicted happenings, and uncontrolled circumstances) usually are not immediately eliminated or solved. Fortunately, time generally is on our side. History is a record of man seeking to manage his and nature’s troubles.
Tribulation is warfare, hampering smooth sailing on the sea of life. Yes “trouble, trouble, trouble, right here in River City” as the song says. Tribulation defines life! Tribulation takes life from us! Tribulation, as war, may lead to death for many, until eliminated or solved. Tribulation rain (and reign in the world) will not go away until Christ returns. We must be wise in Scripture, prudent and sensitive in our lives, and be sure we have in our calculations the Divine perspective on earthly life.
A tendency for the world of humanity is to overreact… or one size fits all. No, government action alone is not the answer to the coronavirus. Trust in God, persistent prayer and prudent action by all citizens are vital ingredients, too.
As an aside, one final thought…I was blessed to see churches consent to empty pews last week in their services. (Though if government orders houses of worship to close, the cure may be worse than the disease.) The 1st Amendment should not be abrogated by government law or heavy-handed decree in an emergency. But there was good last weekend…the church is alive and well when it gathers for worship and when it is home or in the world. What a shame we confuse the understanding of the word church. The church is believers, the Body of Christ…not a building! It will live! It won’t be razed. “I will build my church,” says the Lord, “and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matt 16:18).
So, be vigilant and prudent concerning the coronavirus. Follow the suggested rules. This too will pass and history will go on! Be sure you remember God’s providence and grace includes you! Nothing will take place in your life that is tragic from God’s perspective…it is all redemptive. “In everything give thanks and rejoice always,” St. Paul tells the Thessalonians. Now I am reminding you of something else Paul said to trekker Timothy: “God has not given you the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” Use it, trekker!
Your friend,
Jim Meredith
Thank you, Jim. These are great reminders. And because we are weak and subject to fall into fear and panic, we must return to these scriptures and meditate on them. Bless you and Barbara!