Is the Church Equipped for Covid
In a matter of a few days, the world has changed before our eyes. We know many that have been severely impacted by COVID-19 from a change of schedule to losing their jobs or businesses and many in our country will lose loved ones.
Many believe that COVID-19 has taken away the control they have over their life. In reality, it has not taken away control but is revealing the illusion of control. To add to the feeling of helplessness, the philosophy for life, the world view that is embraced by our culture does not aid the unbeliever in times of trouble. I believe this worldview a "secular western worldview" has done a poor job at preparings its holders for the suffering that comes in this life. Why is this?
Unique to the secular western worldview is the ability to choose ones meaning in life (paraphrase of Tim Keller). You decide the meaning, you can assign your life your actions any meaning you choose, family, career, fame, riches, pleasure, etc. Your only restriction, it must be rooted in this life, it must be rooted in this world because there is nothing after this life.
Suffering is an integral part of the human experience and when it unavoidably enters our life it has deep ramifications. It often intimately impacts what is held most dear and threatens what is loved. In the case of the one clinging to the cultural worldview, it threatens the very object that brings meaning to their life. This worldview fails to provide a way to deal with suffering.
On the contrary, as believers, we do not get to choose our meaning in life. God has given our life meaning and has laid it out in his book. Our meaning is not rooted in this life, it is rooted in eternity. Meaning no matter what we lose, no matter how much suffering we endure in this life, it has no ability to touch the hope that we cling to, for our hope is not in this life but in the next.
In these unprecedented times, the church has been given a great opportunity to offer our neighbors a new way to handle suffering.
People now more than ever are willing to be vulnerable, are willing to talk about the ways they are being affected, to talk about the things that are important to them. Let us not wast an occasion to share about our God.
How has God equipt the church:
Of the myriad of scripture that is applicable to suffering, here are but a few to ponder the application of in this day and time.
Understanding:
Christianity presents a God that came to this world and suffered, He suffered unjustly, he suffered not for himself but for our benefit, he suffered rejection, he suffered loss, just to name a few. This all means that we have a personal God, one that not only understands trail and pain but has personally experienced great suffering.
Community: the church is to be a place of refuge for those dealing with suffering their life "Bear one another burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6:2). The church is to come alongside, provide for, offering healing and share the burdens of others.
Resurrection: Our existence does not cease after this life. It also does not mean we will live in this fallen state forever either. God is going to recreate this world and wipe it clean of all suffering, death sickness, etc, we are going to be given life with a physical body, unlike anything we have experienced here.
As believers let us find peace, and joy during this time knowing that our wise father is in perfect control. Let us be creative in how we communicate the incredible truths of the gospel while we are unable to meet face to face. God has equipped his Church abundantly for a time such as this. Let us share the abundance of the gospel with those who don't believe...Yet!
Socially distant, the Fitzpatricks