When I heard about COVID-19, it felt surreal. It was all over social media and the news; everyone was talking about how the world changed overnight, and how we weren’t prepared for it.
Fear, anxiety, and confusion seemed to have crippled the world, leaving many of us wondering if there is anything that still feels normal. I felt as though I was part of a confused group of people who didn't understand how all of this "just happened."
But we don’t have to stay in that place of fear or confusion because graciously, we know a God who communicates.
So I asked God what He thought about this global situation, and here are the 4 things that He spoke:
The world may have changed, but God hasn't. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). We can find peace in knowing He won't change in any way, even now. His heart has been for us since the beginning, and His character unwavering. You can track this through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. It's not only a story of redemption, but also of how constant and unchanging God is in a world that progressively changes and rejects His goodness.
Believing that God hasn't changed, it's safe for us to assume that His Kingdom won't either. In Hebrews 12, the author talks about God's Unshakable Kingdom and how it is the only thing that cannot be undone by the world. It remains when nothing else does. In a world crisis, when everything feels unstable, we have the hope of being a part of this Kingdom, knowing that it won't change even in our circumstances.
With the world in a state of panic, it can be easy for us to be influenced by the media and fall quickly into a mindset of fear. But God never intended a spirit of fear for us; instead, he gave us the Spirit of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). This means that we, as Jesus followers, can choose to show the world that instead of fear, we are choosing to love. We are choosing the power of Jesus, and through prayer and perseverance, can control our emotions and actions to align with Him. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
We are still called to the Great Commission. Even if travel has been suspended, and we can't be in church buildings, or close to those we love, it doesn't mean our call to GO has changed. Now more than ever, people are searching for something that hasn't changed, and we have the opportunity to offer Jesus. Our calling has not changed even if the world has, it is the hope amidst the change.
We aim to reflect God in our character and continue to choose to know Him and make Him known despite our current circumstances.
Are you willing to take on the challenge of following God and continuing to make Him known during this season?