Column for North Huron "Citizen", Apr. 2 2020 issue
We are now some 3 weeks into the restrictions and nervous uncertainty associated with COVID-19. The Johns Hopkins coronavirus map lists over three-quarters of a million confirmed cases globally, and nearly 37,000 deaths. While Canada’s death toll is still just in the dozens, this is likely to mount in the coming weeks, ‘physical distancing’ notwithstanding. There are hints of community transmission beginning to occur in nearby areas. People are understandably frightened and apprehensive about the infections that are likely to come. Amidst so much negative news, is there any good news? Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter will soon be upon us... Christians refer to Jesus as their Redeemer; is there any ‘redemptive’ aspect to this pandemic? How can we possibly see a silver lining to the cloud, the invisible shroud of dread that hangs over people these days, especially if they are older and at risk, or their health is already compromised in any way?The Biblical patriarch Joseph was badly abused and mistreated by his siblings, resulting in slavery in Egypt, with subsequent imprisonment. But even though he suffered greatly, he did not retaliate later in life when he became governor and had the chance; instead, he maintained the Lord had used for good what others had meant for harm. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20) Joseph was able to find redemptive value in the hardships that had befallen him.
In 2006 John Piper, a Baptist pastor and author in Minnesota, underwent surgery for prostate cancer. As his treatment approached, Piper penned a short booklet, Don’t Waste Your Cancer, listing nearly a dozen factors he was coming to appreciate in his medical journey. Some of them could be adapted for our current situation, i.e. “Don’t Waste Your Pandemic”.
“We waste our [pandemic] if we don’t hear in our own groanings the hope-filled labor pains of a fallen world.” We understand from the Bible that creation is in bondage to decay, groaning as a result. (Rom.8:21) Yet there is also a glorious freedom coming for those who believe. This life’s illnesses make us yearn for the better life hereafter which trust in Christ makes possible.
“We waste our [pandemic] if we believe it is a curse and not a gift.” What a sovereign God permits to occur must constitute part of His design for our growth and maturation. “...We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Rom. 5:3f) When Job lost all his possessions and his children died tragically, and then was afflicted with painful sores, in faith he was still able to accept it as coming from the Lord: “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10)
“We waste our [pandemic] if we refuse to think about death.” The statistics about potential cases, confirmed cases, and deaths continually being churned out by news media can seem overwhelming, but they can bring us face to face with a fact we’d rather avoid: the tenuousness of our own physical existence. We daresn’t take our health for granted any longer. Moses the leader of Israel was well acquainted with grief, having seen practically all of those of his generation buried in the wilderness; he observed in Psalm 90 (10ff), “The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away... Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” We need to appreciate that our days are ‘numbered’ rather than limitless in this life.
“We waste our [pandemic] if we spend too much time reading about [the pandemic] and not enough time reading about God.” The continuous march of the COVID-19 sickness is enough to turn one into a news junkie, if one wasn’t before! The pandemic dominates the headlines. But sometimes, if we’re finding ourselves mesmerized by the endless reports, conjectures, and updates, it may be beneficial to turn off the news and change focus to other media, or interacting with our loved ones near us. The timeless truths of Scripture merit study and contemplation. We can choose to emulate the righteous person described in Psalm 1(2f) – “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water...”
“We waste our [pandemic] if we let it drive us into solitude instead of deepen our relationships with manifest affection.” In our exercise of ‘social distancing’, we may encounter loneliness and begin to slip into a depressed state. But Jesus still calls us to “Love one another.” (John 13:34) Mental health would suggest we be intentional about taking time to build relationships with others in our families, and use whatever technological means we can to stay in touch with friends and neighbours.
“We waste our [pandemic] if we treat sin as casually as before.” The pandemic itself does not threaten our eternal destiny: it’s sin, not sickness, that makes us liable to judgment for falling short of God’s glory and standards for everyday life. These extreme circumstances ought to prompt us to heighten our vigilance against the evil desires that come from within a person and make them unclean. (Mark 7:21ff)
Finally, “We waste our [pandemic] if we fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.” Jesus was very realistic about the suffering and hardship His followers ought to be expecting in everyday life. He observed, “Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt.6:34) He warned His disciples they would face hardship from authorities on account of their beliefs, but these circumstances would result in opportunities to point others to Him: “But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you...This will result in your being witnesses to them.” (Luke 21:12f)
The best things in life are not actually in this life at all, but in the relational peace and joy of eternal life’s knowing our loving Lord and Saviour who is working out all things according to His pleasure and wisdom, for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). A pandemic is accompanied by many inconveniences and restrictions and even physical illness or grief or death, but it does serve to remind us we need to release any ‘idols’ that have enchanted us and instead return to loving and getting right with our Holy God, to whom we are ultimately accountable, and who beckons us to place our trust totally in Him. No matter what.
(download John Piper's Don't Waste Your Cancer FREE here)
