This Can Be Our Finest Hour

I’m tired of the virus, you’re tired of the virus - WE’RE ALL TIRED OF THE VIRUS. We’ve been twisted, over and over, like the rubber band engine of a balsa wood plane – we want to be let loose! I certainly wish I could overturn all the rules and go back to living life as it was. But the reality of the virus is inescapable and our responsibility in the face of it unavoidable.
There will be an end to this trial, but we do not know when. The not knowing is enough to make a person despair. If rebellion is not an option, resignation seems to be all that remains for us. Twiddle time away on our phones. Sigh. Watch a show. Eat ice cream. Repeat.

It feels like our hands are tied – I certainly feel that way as a pastor – that we can’t accomplish anything meaningful stuck in this limbo. But that feeling is misinformed. It misses the opportunities before us and forgets the ways of Jesus Christ. 

Consider some of the opportunities now available to us:

·      Parents have an increased presence in the lives of their children.

·      More people are accustomed to using video chat and livestream technology.

·      Schedules are leaner and travel is reduced.  

·      Small gatherings are possible.

The list isn’t very long. In fact, you might say we had more opportunities before the virus, and you would be right. But what did we make of them, especially in the life of the Church? I don’t propose God has permitted this virus because of the following observation, but this whole situation has seemed to function as a lesson in, “You don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone.” Perhaps at a later date we will prize as a privilege what was previously ordinary to us. Perhaps we will one day make the most of ordinary opportunities, as God has always desired. 

For the present, our “talents” are reduced (see the Parable of the Talents, Matt. 25:14-30). God has given us little opportunities to steward in this season, but he expects us to be fruitful all the same. If we are faithful, I believe we can be more fruitful with the little we are presently given than what was accomplished when we enjoyed an embarrassing fortune of opportunity. This can be our finest hour.

But we must press in. We must not languish under the weight of restrictions. We must be resolved in our determination to see the Body of Christ grow, in every way, in Scituate. In truth, we have good reason for such a disposition, because Christ is with us. He is the one who takes fives loaves and two fish and feeds 5,000. He is the one who tells us: Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. [Mark 11:23 (ESV)] He is the one who promises, I am with you always, to the end of the age.[Matthew 28:20b (ESV)]

RCC will be pushing forward this Fall. Don’t sit on the sidelines. Don’t hang your head. Look up and see the little opportunities God has given you, that He has given us, and let us pursue them together with zeal.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.