Let's be cautious about blaming God for the COVID 19 crisis. But we can be confident that he can bring some good things from a bad situation. That’s what Romans 8:28 says: “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”
One good thing coming from this crisis is that it tends to refocus us – to reset priorities. That’s helpful because we are easily distracted.
For example, I suffer from chronic outbreaks of exercise. They are extremely painful, but usually short-lived. In previous outbreaks, when I went running (i.e. lumbering), I tripped over uneven sidewalks for a couple of nasty spills.
So, a couple of years ago, when exercise fever struck again, I was determined to be more careful. Had my mind made up; I would not fall. And for weeks, I was as sure-footed as a mountain goat – though I more closely resemble a water buffalo. I had not fallen, not one stumble. I was feeling good – maybe not runners high, more like oxygen deprivation - but I was not falling.
Until that morning. Distracted by a sprinkler, I watched closely to time my passage to avoid getting wet since it was only 55 degrees out. As I got closer, I noticed the hose was loose and water was spraying out around the bottom. Suddenly, I realized that the sprinkler was getting closer fast. I was falling!
While watching the unimportant sprinkler, I had ignored the very important bump in the sidewalk. I made an emergency four-point landing. (Being on all fours does not help me get rid of the water buffalo look!) I then rolled and sprawled on my back on a very wet (but nicely greened) lawn. Did I mention it was 55 degrees?
It’s OK to laugh; I wasn’t hurt. Not physically anyway, and my bruised ego is healing nicely.
My fall was a reminder that it’s important to stay focused on what’s important. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” Jesus said, “and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). That was in a conversation about avoiding worry and the “these things” are the ones we tend be distracted by – income, job, etc.
We tend to get very focused on all the things that normally keep us busy. Until, suddenly, they are gone. And we have plenty of time on our hands to ponder what is important. So, perhaps this crisis will help us remember that now, and when the crisis is over, his kingdom will still be the most important thing.
And, if you see a buffalo sprawled across someone’s lawn, you’ll know I got distracted again.
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