Right now many people are panicking over CV-19, known as the Coronavirus. Italy, China, Denmark, El Salvador, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, California, New York, and Washington in the US are on lockdown quarantine. The death toll is at 15,000 worldwide, and while that is a major concern, to put it in perspective, over 290,000 to 600,000 people die worldwide of the Flue Virus each year according to WHO.
Most countries are enacting Social distancing of 6 feet or 1.829 meters. People are not allowed to touch anyone who is not family or in their designated party. Many are on house quarantine or what is called Shelter in Place. The isolation is bound to cause some cabin fever symptoms. There is concern about keeping calm when you are forced to be apart from people. How do we as Christians weather quarantine, when we are called to be a community and to evangelize the lost? The obvious answer is cyberministry (online, internet, web). Most churches have closed and hold services online. For the braver ones, volunteering to help deliver supplies and needed essentials to people is also an opportunity.
In the middle of the storm, I urge we press into Christ and let His peace that surpasses all understanding guard us, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). We mist control the panic inside from isolation and fear of this virus. Remember God does not give us a Spirit of Fear, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7). We are obligated to obey the authorities over us, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God,” (Romans 13:1), and adhere to CV-19 preventative measures. But that does not mean we give into fear and cease being ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). More than ever people need the blessed hope of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through cyberspace and volunteering we can reach out with a spirit of Charity.
We must remember not to fear death which Christ has tasted for us, “because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation, Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” (Hebrews 2:10, 14-15). However, we must be sensitive to those who do not know this; who at this time feel overcome by worry and fear. We must be patient with relatives and our designated parties who feel depressed, irritable, fearful, and panicked. Let us pray for them and offer what comfort we can in the name of Christ.
This crises is a moment for Christ to show his compassion and love through us his children. The world is in chaos, but Christ is a sure anchor, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 6:19-20). Amen.
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