Lessons from a Virus

Currently, the Covid-19 virus is on everyone’s mind. Because this virus is so new, it is largely unknown. We do not have a cure nor a vaccine for it. Right now, scientists all over the world are trying to learn more about Covid-19 because the more we learn about the virus, the better informed we will be, and the less fearful it will make us.

There are many lessons we have already learned from the virus. For example, I have learned to wash my hands to ensure my hands are fully clean. Churches, businesses, and individuals are learning to communicate online, through many platforms unknown to them before. Many of us are learning the value of social connections as we have been more isolated than normal

ONE MORE LESSON

I want to suggest another lesson this virus is teaching us, as it directly relates to the season of the church year we are in. With all the focus on Covid-19, many of us have probably given little thought to this season of Lent. 

Lent is the time of the year (and sadly, often the only time of the year) many people make it a practice to give something up for the sake of their spiritual life. Many people give up sweets. Some give up coffee or soft drinks. In recent years, I have known people to give up social media. The idea is that we give up something that is a regular part of our life, something we value, as a tool to help us draw closer to God. It is a good thing, or at least it can be. However, if we replace social media with binge-watching a Netflix series, rather than spending extra time in prayer or Bible study, I do not know if we have benefitted our spiritual lives much by our sacrifice. The good thing is that the practice of sacrificing something we value for the sake of the Kingdom of God is a great thing, even if we do not always carry it out as perfectly as we should. 

LENT AND THE CORONAVIRUS

So what does Lent have to do with the Coronavirus? During this season of social distancing and Lent, we have all given up far more than any of us had planned, even if it was not intentionally or for spiritual reasons. I have given up the college basketball tournament, the start of baseball season, and spending time with friends in church, among other things. None of that was in my plans, but I did not have a choice in the matter. But, here is what I have learned as I think many of you have as well:

I can make sacrifices that go beyond what I would even consider making. 

Now, if we could just remember this lesson. We could give extra so the Gospel can expand to an unreached people group. We can give up our fear of what others think of us, and tell our co-workers about Jesus. We can take an unpopular, but Biblical stance about marriage, sexuality, and the sanctity of all human life. We can sacrifice our time watching tv to pray, study the Scriptures, and worship. We can give up an occasional weekend tee time to serve our neighbors and our community. We can even give up our relentless drive to advance our career for the sake of time with our family. We have learned we can give up much more than we realized because of Covid-19. I hope we can remember that we can sacrifice more for than we previously have beyond this time of the virus or this season of Lent, and that we will do so, for the Glory of God.