As the reality of the effects of COVID-19 set in, I’m forced to face what has now become the “new normal”. It’s taken me at least three weeks of this to finally come to terms with all that is happening. I’ve mostly expressed my denial in the form of frustration. Frustration that we cannot gather in worship as a corporate body of believers. Frustration that my interactions with those I love is limited to staring at a screen. And frustrations that this pandemic is even happening and I literally can’t do anything about it but stay in my home.
Honestly this season has been difficult for me- and even as I write that I realize how selfish it is. I know my frustrations hold some weight, yet when compared to some of the incredible sufferings that others are experiencing in health, finances and fear, it seems petty to even mention.
And yet God is inviting me to bring these frustrations to him. It wasn’t until recently that I finally went to God with all that was going on in my heart; all the frustrations and anger and apathy and fear and uncertainty. And bring it to him not to receive an answer but rather to simply receive him. What has come from those honest moments with God is not a way out of the pandemic, but rather a comfort in the midst of it. This is the kind of God we have, one who has promised to be near. Think about how crazy that is- that even when there is a virus that is literally affecting the entire world, God is not too busy to care about you individually. He isn’t annoyed with your fears or worries. He isn’t put off by your apathy. He isn’t fed up with your frustrations. He invites you to be real and honest and open with him because he cares about YOU.
As much as that was directed to “you” reading this, that was me preaching to myself. That was me joining in with the psalmist saying,
“So then, my soul, why would you be depressed? Why would you sink into despair? Just keep hoping and waiting on God, your Savior. For no matter what, I will still sing with praise, for living before his face is my saving grace.”
(Psalm 42 - I encourage you to read the rest!)
I don’t have much of an update ministry-wise, but just wanted to take some time to share the above with you. My hope is that what God has been doing in my heart, he would do in yours as well. That as you trust him when all else seems uncertain and you’re forced to face idols that are typically masked by busyness, that he would be near to you and continue to make you more like Jesus.
Lastly I’ll leave you with this article written by my friend. He well articulates the hope we have even in our doubt, check it out:
ZACH