These last few weeks have been anything but easy…. or normal.
For the most part, everything has come to a standstill. People have been asked to shelter in their homes. Businesses, churches and schools have shut down with the exception of essential businesses. Everywhere you look, people are wearing masks and gloves. Safety looks a lot different these days.
As the days go on, it can seem like there is no upper hand to getting ahead of what is going on. Unemployment is at an all time high, people are losing their jobs and their main source of income for their families, hospitals are reaching or passed their capacity, the necessary equipment for hospitals are stretched thin, and sadly, people are losing their lives.
Government and health officials are saying this week and next are going to be the worst in terms of the surge. In order to get on the other side of this curve, we all have a significant role to play (even if that means staying home).
But this week is Holy Week and today is Good Friday. On the day in which this day of remembrance originated, things were anything but good. Jesus was betrayed, arrested, and sentenced to an excruciating death on a cross. The Son of God was laid to rest in a tomb. It seemed like evil had won the battle. I can’t imagine how those close to Jesus must have felt.. Hurt? Devastated? Confused? Hopeless?
They had no idea what would happen three days later…
This Good Friday, we find ourselves in a similar situation. But, while the darkness may seem to be winning, it doesn’t have the final say. It never has. There are brighter days ahead of us.. It may not be the exact timeline, but we can rest assured that it’s coming.
Who knows what will come out of this situation when all of this is over. But, in the midst of the storm, we already see a renewed sense of hope, togetherness, and strength. Families are reconnecting, doctors are reminded of why they wanted to study medicine, and people are reaching out in new ways to show that we’re truly all in this together.
I’m not sure what you’re going through today, how you’re feeling, or what life looks like for you, but I can tell you one thing – Don’t give up. Hope is on the horizon. Things may seem dark, daunting and sometimes hopeless at the moment, but this is not the end.
So many years ago, Jesus died on a cross to bear the sins of the world in order that we would be able to have a relationship with God. He knew what needed to be done, even if it cost him everything. Jesus, who was fully God and fully man, lived a sinless and self-less life and made the ultimate sacrifice. He knew the end goal and He knew what it was going to take.
May we as children of God in these days, during this Holy week and beyond, look to the act of love displayed on our behalf so many years ago. The Great Commission tells us to go into all the world and to make disciples, knowing that He will be with us all the days of our lives. In these moments when we find the doors of our physical churches closed, let us not forget that we are the Church. We are messengers and carries of the Holy Spirit and the Good News of the Gospel. We were created for such a time as this.
So do your part. If that means staying home to flatten the curve, stay at home. If that means going to work so that others can have the things they need (Healthcare, gas, groceries, etc.) then I pray that the Lord would keep you safe and healthy during this time. No matter where you find yourself, remember to take a deep breath. We’re all going through this pandemic in different ways. Be gentle with others and with yourself. Lastly, trust that everything is going to be okay in the end.
I’m praying for all of you. Stay safe and don’t lose hope.
Love,
Lauren K. ❤
Hebrews 12:1-2 states “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Chronically Faithful 