Considering the pain, death, grief, and fear that people are experiencing during this COVID-19 pandemic, this title may seem thoughtless, inconsiderate, or offensive. How can we possibly consider blessings during this time of great loss and horror?
But at the very apex of our faith is an event that is full of both horror and blessing: the bloody execution of our savior, Christ on the cross, the righteous killed for the unrighteous. These hours of utter horror secured our salvation, a blessing greater than anything we can imagine. Yes, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was a horror. And oh yes, that horror was the greatest blessing that we have ever known.
It is not contradictory to say that COVID-19 is a horror and also a blessing. It can be both.
The Blessing of Family
Some of us are stuck in the house with family members. Working from home, studying from home, and learning from home makes for a lot of time at home with the people who are in our homes, people who perhaps we do not normally see quite so often. Some families are getting time together to play board games and card games, to worship on the couch together on Sunday mornings, and to laugh, cry, and listen to one another. With so much uncertainty around us, some of us have found ourselves being more vulnerable with our family members as we share fears and process emotions. We are getting to know one another differently as we experience feelings that we haven’t felt before.
The Blessing of Prayer
During this time, many of us have never prayed so much or so hard for loved ones, for our communities, for our leaders, or for the world. In the midst of a pandemic, priorities change. The things that seemed important before may not seem quite as important anymore, and instead of trying to do things on our own, we find ourselves on our knees, knowing that only God has the answers that our world needs. Of course, this is true all of the time. God is always our only hope. But in the routine and comfort of everyday life, we frequently forget this truth that becomes starkly obvious during a pandemic. We need God.
The Blessing of Community
Physical separation from family members, friends, and communities is causing us to see freshly how much we love the people in our lives. We find ourselves making phone calls more often than ever before to check on those that we care about. Technology has created opportunities for us to remain connected to one another in ways that would have been impossible not too long ago.
It is good to take stock of the blessings that we see during this pandemic. As we count our blessings though, we must also acknowledge that some people are quarantined alone and don’t have anyone to play Monopoly with or watch Netflix with. Others may be stuck in homes that are not safe for them. Many essential workers are still getting up and going to work every day, and children are left home alone. Not everyone has access to technology that connects them to their loved ones and others are burying the loved ones they long to connect with. So, as we thank God for these blessings in the midst of horror, may we search for opportunities to safely serve those who are hurting around us, and may we hold these blessings loosely and with gratitude as we hold tightly to the God who gives and takes away.
Want more? Listen to Episode 2 of Church Unfiltered here.
But at the very apex of our faith is an event that is full of both horror and blessing: the bloody execution of our savior, Christ on the cross, the righteous killed for the unrighteous. These hours of utter horror secured our salvation, a blessing greater than anything we can imagine. Yes, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was a horror. And oh yes, that horror was the greatest blessing that we have ever known.
It is not contradictory to say that COVID-19 is a horror and also a blessing. It can be both.
The Blessing of Family
Some of us are stuck in the house with family members. Working from home, studying from home, and learning from home makes for a lot of time at home with the people who are in our homes, people who perhaps we do not normally see quite so often. Some families are getting time together to play board games and card games, to worship on the couch together on Sunday mornings, and to laugh, cry, and listen to one another. With so much uncertainty around us, some of us have found ourselves being more vulnerable with our family members as we share fears and process emotions. We are getting to know one another differently as we experience feelings that we haven’t felt before.
The Blessing of Prayer
During this time, many of us have never prayed so much or so hard for loved ones, for our communities, for our leaders, or for the world. In the midst of a pandemic, priorities change. The things that seemed important before may not seem quite as important anymore, and instead of trying to do things on our own, we find ourselves on our knees, knowing that only God has the answers that our world needs. Of course, this is true all of the time. God is always our only hope. But in the routine and comfort of everyday life, we frequently forget this truth that becomes starkly obvious during a pandemic. We need God.
The Blessing of Community
Physical separation from family members, friends, and communities is causing us to see freshly how much we love the people in our lives. We find ourselves making phone calls more often than ever before to check on those that we care about. Technology has created opportunities for us to remain connected to one another in ways that would have been impossible not too long ago.
It is good to take stock of the blessings that we see during this pandemic. As we count our blessings though, we must also acknowledge that some people are quarantined alone and don’t have anyone to play Monopoly with or watch Netflix with. Others may be stuck in homes that are not safe for them. Many essential workers are still getting up and going to work every day, and children are left home alone. Not everyone has access to technology that connects them to their loved ones and others are burying the loved ones they long to connect with. So, as we thank God for these blessings in the midst of horror, may we search for opportunities to safely serve those who are hurting around us, and may we hold these blessings loosely and with gratitude as we hold tightly to the God who gives and takes away.
Want more? Listen to Episode 2 of Church Unfiltered here.
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