The question that many have is how is this going to look? Will we all rush our and clog the restaurants? Or will we go out tentatively and still avoid crowds? Will our practiced social distancing undermine our trust of others? How long will our collective fear drag the economy down? These are not easy questions to answer, and we may not know the answers for some time. The events of today shape the future, so how is COVID19 changing our future? Our lives are still continuing onward.
As life continues, so does our calendar. Last Sunday was Easter, a day that has greatly shaped our present and continues to shape the future. Faith in Jesus changes us. It removes our sins and restores our relationship with God. As it is written in Romans 6:4 (ESV), “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Baptism is the public declaration of our faith in Jesus. A faith that gives us a newness of life. All centred on the events of Easter.
The point of Easter is the Jesus rose from the grave and left an empty tomb. This empty tomb is a sign of our hope. Not merely for a good life now, nor for simple health, rather or eternal life in Jesus. A life that continues on in heaven awaits the return of Jesus and our perfected bodies, not subject to the ravages of sin. It is this blessed hope that inspires us to work towards a better world today.
Today, our self imposed isolation will produce a change in our society and in each individual. The question is, how will we let it change us? It is an opportunity that our lives have slowed down. We have a chance to reflect. We can figure out what is important and what is minor. We can ask what our actual values are. We can look at what we have neglected and reorder our priorities.
I encourage you to seek after what is important. I know that our church is producing content to help anyone to grow spiritually at this time. I know that many other churches are doing so as well. Make it a priority to seek after God at this time. God will hear, and he will answer. I believe this is an opportunity for all people to deepen their relationship with God. While this is best done in a congregation, we have the opportunity to begin today.
When we are freed from isolation, let us live with better priorities. Let our lives not be driven by events with the illusion of priority, but live focusing on what is important. Let us not be overwhelmed by fear, but find peace through the God who sent His son, Jesus, to conquer the grave. Let us have hope because God is with us always.
Rev. Rick Shott, Nokomis Baptist Church
Disclaimer: opinions expressed are those of the writer
