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As our nation, community, and church faces the threat posed by COVID-19, we are living through unprecedented circumstances. Never before, in any of our lifetimes, have we witnessed such sweeping restrictions and closures of the activities for which we have come to consider a part of our daily routine. All of our lives have been put on pause to some degree as government and health officials seek to slow down and end the spread of this disease. With so many unknowns regarding the rapid transmission of the coronavirus, many are fearful that they or their loved ones could contract the virus, or even worse, that they have already done so and are now unwittingly risking its spread to others. While as of yet the effects of this sickness are relatively minor for the majority of the population, the inability to slow down its spread has caused dramatic and extreme responses to many in our community. “Social Distancing” (keeping at least six-feet away from others) is now encouraged by health authorities. In some parts of the country, local authorities have mandated self-quarantines whereby individuals and families can leave their home only for necessities. In our own community, the hoarding of supplies such as toilet paper and cleaning supplies has left many store shelves empty of these products.
The myriad of ways in which any of us deals with our current medical and financial crisis is most certainly determined by our worldview. One’s worldview (and everyone has a worldview) is the lens through which he/she perceives reality and makes sense of life and this world. For instance, most two-year-olds have a worldview that everything revolves around them. Therefore, they will typically throw a tantrum when they are told no to something they want to do. Some have the worldview that there is no eternity beyond this life, so their decisions are shaped by getting all they can from this life with no thought of what is beyond. The Apostle Paul instructs in Romans, “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed through the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Christians are to have a biblical worldview. So, in what ways does our current crisis reveal our worldview?
1. Panic vs. Peace
We have heard countless reports in media and have even witnessed ourselves as people have unraveled in anxiety over the coronavirus and its potential effects on our society. Perhaps there is no more obvious example of this than the hoarding of toilet paper, cleaning supplies, bread, and any other products which some believe to be indispensable. Many are purchasing three or four times their normal amount due to fears over a supply shortage. Yet, the scriptures repeatedly encourage us to “fear not” in every circumstance. If our worldview is one in which we believe God will provide for our every need, this will certainly determine whether or not we will hoard supplies. As a word of warning, there is only one instance in the bible in which a man hoarded supplies (Luke 12:16-21). It did not end well for him.
2. Isolation vs. Discipleship
Obviously, we are being wise and obedient to follow the guidelines and restrictions which are being given to us by the governing authorities regarding the numbers who meet together (Romans 13:1-4). For at least some period of time, we will be cut off from the normal mode of socializing with others. However, as long as one is not sick or contagious, we will maintain some semblance of interaction with one another. One with a worldview for self-preservation will seek isolation from the needs of others. But a biblical worldview demands we “count others more significant” than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). How can we sacrificially make disciples, especially at a time when so many are worried only for themselves?
3. Human Achievement vs. Eschatology
The coronavirus pandemic has exposed the greatest fears of many. Our technological advancement has accomplished amazing feats. Yet, for all of our medical innovation, one new strand of virus is literally halting life as we know it. Some hold the worldview that humanity is its own great champion, that we will eventually create our own utopia with enough education, financing, and government. However, a biblical worldview holds that since our world has been subjected to sin and death, humanity and culture will continue to inevitably decay until the return of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:18-25). While such a disaster as our current one is never welcome, it is to be expected in a world in which Jesus stated “you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
4. Human Ingenuity vs. Prayer
There has never been a society with such excellent achievements and resources in the field of medicine. We are living in a time in which many of the diseases which decimated multitudes of our ancestors have now become extinct due to advancements in health. So, when a virus such as COVID-19 arises, many are looking to science for answers. While we should be thankful for the blessing of advanced healthcare, our salvation from this current crisis does not lie in medicine. A biblical worldview acknowledges that only by God’s hand will we be protected against any disease or enemy (Proverbs 21:31). Only as we pray to God will we eventually end this crisis, whether He does so through medicine or a miraculous intervention. Additionally, we should be careful in labeling this virus as a curse from God against sinners. However, as with any crisis or tragedy, it should make us turn to God in prayer and seriously reflect upon any sin for which we should repent (Isaiah 59:1-2).
5. Victim vs. Emissary
“How could such a thing happen to me?” “We don’t deserve to be going through this?” These are the constant mantras of our culture. When problems strike our families or our nation, we pridefully long for someone to feel sorry for us. In our sin, we enjoy playing the “victim”. Yet, God’s Word instructs that in all of human history, there is truly only One who did not deserve what He received. Jesus, who alone is sinless, carried the weight of all our sin on the cross. He did this willingly that He might be glorified and we might be saved. As His followers, we are not victims to our circumstances, even of this terrible disease. He has sent us as His emissaries, His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Everything we go through is on purpose, for His glory and our good.
Now, more than ever, we need to recalibrate our thinking to the truth of God’s Word. In so doing, we will experience God’s peace, even amidst chaos. We will find God glorified, even amidst trouble. And we will display the love of Jesus, even amidst great selfishness.
Jason