Yesterday I posted on Reading and Studying. I want to follow that up today
Panic is more contagious than calm.
The more “news” you absorb right now, the more you’re inclined to panic.
All you need is 10 minutes a day to get informed. No more. Not by Facebook or Twitter or whatever social media platform you use. Find an informative news source you trust.
Despite what some Christian people are saying, I don’t believe the current pandemic is a sign of the end times. I’m not expecting the four horsemen of the Apocalypse to show up anytime soon. Nevertheless, kingdom-first seekers stay calm during this pandemic because we are learning to live in Psalm 23 and Matthew 6.
We have the peace of Jesus. Real peace. Something the world lacks.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 2:7
Every crisis gives us an opportunity to make something new.
So what does the current virus crisis make possible in your life?
According to Facebook, it’s an opportunity to binge on Netflix and other streaming platforms.
Let me suggest a few things that kingdom-first seekers can do instead:
- Make this a time to deepen your relationship to Jesus Christ and His kingdom.
- Personally, I’m spending more time with the Lord. I’ve also created a “prayer” list, and I’m regularly reminding the Lord about each item on it. If you are part of OCC, you are on it.
- I’m reading. Not that that is new for me!
- Reading the Gospels.
- & reading both some theology and a novel.
- Calling and texting family and friends. Checking in on them.
- Janice & I have had some skype calls & last Sunday we met with my parents over the phone.
- Being wise.
- Not being around others. Practising physical distancing. Janice is being careful even while she works at The Home Depot
- Looking to meet the needs of others. Especially those who are part of the family of God.
- I’ve done some grocery shopping for those who need it.
Be careful about the amount of time you spend on Facebook. It’s a time vampire and very often a viper pit. This is why I am not posting everything on Facebook. Instead of going down that rabbit hole, why not tackle one of those projects that you have been putting off.
A friend of mine, recently posted: “I finally did that job I have been putting off for 6 months. It took me 15minutes. I will learn nothing from this.“
To remain calm and use the current crisis for game-changing opportunities is a paradigm shift compared to what the world is doing right now (along with many “Christians” who’ve hit the panic button).
We can’t control what’s happening on the national and international scene. But we can control our reaction to it all.
One of the posts on Facebook that was circulating earlier this week contained the words of Martin Luther about The Black Plague death of his day. I think they apply well right now.
“I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.”