Much could be said about the pandemic, but I am thinking today about how God might be using this terrible thing to bring about some good!
1. The Washington Post recently relayed information from a Pew Research poll that ultimately said about one in four Americans say the coronavirus has "deepened their religious faith." To be fair that includes any religion questioned, but could it be that people are turning to God during this time? Could it be that people are recognizing that the government cannot save them; that the church institution cannot save them. Could there be a dawning awareness that mirrors the people of God in the time of King Asa found in 2 Chronicles 15:3-4 "For a long time Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest and without law, [4] but when in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them." Are we on the verge of a great awakening?
2. Change. In the matter of a few days there were a host of churches that transitioned from no online or social media presence to starting up new pages, purchasing technology, and more. They scrambled quickly to be able to minister to their faithful congregants, but were surprised by the reality that others were watching too! I am praying that many Christians and churches will realize that we need not wait to be forced to change, but under the direction of the Holy Spirit we can begin to operate in a way that anticipates sharing the Gospel with more people than ever before. Can we be proactive as the Holy Spirit guides us rather than dragged into the future kicking and screaming as we reactive to what we must do to survive?
3. Uncomfortable? Woe to them that are at ease in Zion! The relative comfort and ease of life for the church in North America has become our greatest enemy. We have become lax and slothful about our mission. The Bible calls us to be zealous for good works. Our fervor has died down to a respectable luke-warmness in many places. The upheaval and discomfort of circumstances has forced us to rely more heavily upon the Lord in many ways. There are simply no modern blueprints for how to deal with a pandemic in Western Civilization. It might be time to seek the Lord! Discomfort has always been a catalyst for positive change.
4. Compassion. What a great opportunity to exhibit your love for your neighbor. Many people and their church families are doing just that. Giving, sharing, and sacrificing for others is in the DNA of those who have been born of the Spirit, but it is often neglected and forgotten. The adversity of a dreaded disease and the economic impact has called the church to the forefront of what it ought to be doing: caring for those around us! It is good to see the love of Christ exhibited by His people!
5. Vitality of smaller churches. For a long time large churches have been viewed as superior in the church culture of today. In many ways we are finding that the shut down and quarantine time have had more of an impact on larger churches than smaller ones. Typically smaller churches have much lower overhead (staff costs, vehicles, and large facilities). Smaller churches are able to adapt and change more quickly than their larger, more cumbersome, sister churches. I like small churches. Larger churches are prevented from returning to worship as quickly and easily as smaller churches due to the larger number of congregants and limited space. Some smaller churches are able to quickly adapt and prepare for the "new normal" of social distancing and family worship to which larger churches are not always accustomed.
6. What is really important? We've all had to begin to reevaluate what we really believe is important. Many questions have arisen during this time that bring our values into the light to for examination. What things really are important to me? Our pursuit of fame, wealth, and power have to be reassessed in light of the reality that life is fragile. There are some things that our government cannot save us from. There are illnesses that doctors cannot cure. This life is temporary and we are forced to evaluate our priorities in light of eternity.
7. So much for the Prosperity Gospel. There has been something of a earth shattering awakening for those who are in the prosperity Gospel club. It just does not add up Biblically or practically. Experience is a merciless teacher. This false doctrine, which has been promoted for way too long will probably limp on into the future, but at least it has once again been exposed as fraudulent theology. As long as there are people in the church who are focused on things of this world there will be false theologies unfortunately. Thankfully there may be a few less patrons of the prosperity Gospel after the coronavirus pandemic.
8. It really is essential for us to be together in one place! The overwhelming response of Christians is that we desperately need times of corporate worship, prayer, and fellowship. Obviously it is not about the building, but there is something Biblical and imperative about our gathering together. When the church gathers for worship, we mirror Heaven. Many of us have been guilty of viewing the times of corporate worship as nonessential long before the coronavirus came on the scene. I am so thankful that during this time we have been blessed with technology to help us endure. I think we have found that virtual church, while a temporary alternative, is simply no comparison to gathering with God's people. There is no doubt about it: corporate worship is a Biblical command and an essential component to our spiritual life! Sometimes you do not realize how important something is until you cannot take part for a while. Absence has certainly made my heart grow fonder!
So what do you think? Are there some good things that you believe have come out of the coronavirus pandemic?
Check out these other articles:
Signs of a Good Church
20 Signs You are in a Dying Church
How to Make Your Church a Great One
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