Light-work

Quickly!

Thirty days ago, it was all good. The Dow was flirting with breaking 30,000. Market sentiment was bullish to an extreme. The race for President was all the news. Sure, we were hearing rumors about something called the Corona virus. But that was a foreign thing. No worries!

Fast forward one month. As of this writing, 86 million Americans are on lock-down. We are bracing for the very real possibility that hundreds of thousands (millions?) will be diagnosed with Covid-19. The stock market has tanked, although we don’t know the right word to use: Recession? Depression? Melt-down? Unemployment is exploding, businesses are at risk, the economy is in deep trouble, and panic is knocking at the door.

I find the contrast between today and one month ago so stark. How quickly everything has changed!

What if we had known three months ago, or better yet, three years ago, what was coming? We would have been able to get ready. But, we still really don’t know what is ahead. So how would we have prepared three years ago when we are still, even now, unsure what we are preparing for?

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus says, “I am coming quickly” five times. The word translated “quickly” is the Greek word tachus (ταχύς). This word emphasizes rapidity. When Jesus says, “I am coming quickly,” He is saying that the specific events associated with His earthly return will occur at breath-taking speed. Once the reset sequence has started, there will be no time to get ready. You are either ready before His coming or you will not be ready.

So I have found current events singularly instructive in understanding what quickly means. What if someone told you about a coming crisis? What if this someone’s predictions were always right? What if this someone told you exactly how to prepare for the coming crisis? And what if this someone told you to prepare now!

There is such a someone – His name is Jesus. And He delivered the Book of Revelation to a fellow named John with clear and specific instructions to make it available to us. In this book, He explains exactly what is coming and how to be prepared. And then he says, “I am coming quickly.” Based on our experience with Covid-19, we know what that means. Get ready now!

How? Although there is much the Book of Revelation has to say on the matter, it all boils down to this: Have you grown the kind of faith in Jesus that would rather die than deny the Lord? Make up your mind now that following Jesus matters more than anything else. Pick up your cross and follow Him. Go all-in for Jesus. Be ready now! He is coming quickly!

Hunker in the Bunker?

Two weeks ago, if you had described for me what life would be like today, I wouldn’t have believed it. With covid-19 yipping at our heels, Costco is rationing toilet paper. Toilet paper! All across the land this weekend, churches reverberated as preachers “streamed” from an empty room. In two weeks, we have become fluent in the language of “social distance” that is closing stores, restaurants, and schools.

On top of all this, the pandemic has become the butterfly effect, exploding a fiction of stock values. As of this writing, the Dow has fallen from 29K to 20K in about 30 days. Just imagine (maybe you don’t have to imagine) that your portfolio has been reduced by a third while you blinked. Pain and fear are in the driver’s seat.

I can say with assurance that I have never experienced anything quite like this.

I do not know what will happen tomorrow. Which raises a great question! Before I ask it, let me affirm what I do know. I know who Father is! He is gracious, loving, and wise. I know I am His. I know that He is my safety. And I know that He is capable of using our current circumstances to work my good and that of all those who love Him – I may not know HOW He will do this, but I know that He will.

So here’s my question: What does God want to teach us during this singular season? I have come up with a couple of possibilities.

First, here is a grand opportunity for us to learn how to function as His church without churches. Let me explain: At the moment, our government leaders are directing us to meet in groups no larger than 10 people. So, God is not sitting in heaven flapping His arms in frustration and muttering, “How will my people worship under such conditions.” God is saying, “Okay, church, here’s your chance to be the church without all the frills. Break it down into what you and nine other individuals can do. Thrive as my people in groups of ten!”

Frankly, this is something we would do well to learn. In many parts of the world, the house-church is the norm. To the degree that our culture views us as a liability, we will have to learn what others know all too well. So here’s your chance! Figure out how to leverage all the wonderful resources available through your “big church” to raise up a ground-swell of churches of ten or less. As long as we are under a “social distance” mandate, seize it as the opportunity it is to flex your house-church muscles.

Second, this crisis is a window to Gospel opportunity. I am not making light of the rising tide of pain and fear that threatens to engulf us. I hurt for those who are hurting. But precisely here is our open door. All those who are in anguish around us are longing for something, someone, upon whom they can depend, someone who will promote their true good. They are tired of being misled, taken advantage of, and disappointed. There is One who does not disappoint, and we know Him! They are hurting and in pain longing to hear about One who heals. We know Him! They are in trouble and going under. There is One who rescues, and we know Him!

Seize the opportunity! Just because we are keeping our social distance, we don’t have to go dark. Use your phone, computer, and good old fashioned snail-mail to reach out to those in your circle who are hurting. Maybe you are part of a house-church of nine that has room for one more. Bring your friend!

The world may be concerned, and understandably so, about how to “get through” the current crisis. I say to my brothers and sisters in Christ, don’t just hunker in the bunker. Let’s not sigh and count the days till we can “get back to normal.” Let’s flourish as His church (in groups of ten) and as ambassadors of grace (among a people in pain).