The Great Physician

Yesterday, it was suggested on TV that this virus lockdown could stretch all the way to June--and it made me queasy.  This is the season of Lent--this week is Palm/Passion Sunday and Easter is right around the corner.  How can this whole virus thing be happening?  Every week that passes I find myself growing a bit more anxious for life to return to normal.  I certainly want the threat of viral death to pass quickly.  As I feel pulled down by the weight of this thing--I’m asking what God is doing about it.

Now, I don’t believe for a minute God ordained this nightmare--but I do believe He is actively working through it.  It is no stretch that He would be working to change hearts.  And don’t we need a few hearts to be changed?  We can all make a list of the ailments that plague our communal life--religious, political, moral, civil.  Most good people would agree--this society has “heart” disease, and needs to be healed.

During a time of trial, certain Bible texts jump out with new life.  Consider the Word of God in Romans 13:9-12:​

9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."  10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.  11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.   12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

My friends, take hope!  The Great Physician is working overtime--offering the cure for our “heart” disease.  This virus lockdown may be difficult, but God’s steady voice and constant presence is a blessing in the midst of it.