March 29, 2024

‘Calm amidst crisis’

“There’s too much hype! The media is promoting the chaos around this virus! I’m not afraid of it!”

These comments have been heard lately and I’ve wondered if the people are pessimistic, sarcastic, in denial, or actually facing reality when they expressed their viewpoints. And I’m not sure I know the answer. What I do know is that as a pastor I have the obligation to our congregation to stay informed, to be prepared, to act prudently and safely in the best interests of all, and to pray fervently. I must live and act without regrets.

I have even heard, “How can God allow this to happen?” and “Where is God in all of this mess?” I can’t respond on God’s behalf about events occurring or the timing of such disasters, but I can speak to the “where” in the question posed.

I see God everywhere in this “mess.” Just like catastrophes of tornados, floods, hurricanes, forest fires, tsunamis, mass shootings, violence and immigration issues, God is present. God is constant. And God’s love and grace are abundant.

The works of God are manifested through the front-line medical professionals, the security personnel, the hospital and ER staff, pharmacies, housekeeping departments at hospitals, food pantries and hospitality volunteers. God’s generosity is visible through employees and management of stores doing their best to meet the supply and demand concerns. In fact, there are so many ways our God is present in our daily lives, including those times of crises, that I can’t even count them all.

And I do know that thousands of God’s children are reaching out with love and compassion to those ill with this virus or have lost loved ones due to its severity.

As humanity, we must not lose hope regardless of the inconveniences or the challenges this virus presents to us. God promised to always be with us, to never abandon us. Nowhere though in Scripture can I find where God has promised to make life easy for us, sparing us from any type of hardship for learning, or any suffering or pain. Instead we have the blessed assurance that God is with us to the end of time, every day, every minute. And we are exhorted to have faith, to possess hope, and to pray for God’s will to be with us in the midst of all the chaos and crisis in our lives.

“Be still and know that I am God” brings peace and comfort to me when things go awry in my life. May the peace and grace of Jesus Christ be with you in these trying days!