Tip of My Iceberg

I’ve washed the top several layers of skin off my hands.

Meetings have been canceled; group gatherings are scrapped.

The shelves are empty of toilet paper, water, wipes, and macaroni and cheese.

Here in Florida, it feels a little like preparation for a hurricane.

This is a different kind of bad. A unique kind of fear.

The coronavirus has changed the way we’re living life right now. Here in the U.S., we have the benefit of seeing how this illness has affected other areas of the world, and we’ve been fortunate to learn from the experience of others.

We’re not always good at applying what we know to be true.

Uncertainty causes all of us to react in ways that aren’t logical or thought through. Especially in America, we don’t want to be restricted. We don’t want others–especially those in authority–to tell us we can’t go here or we need to stay there. We are, after all, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

It’s not brave to go against restrictions put in place by those who know what they’re talking about. That’s arrogant. There’s no freedom if people who could potentially harm others are allowed to do as they like. That’s callous and thoughtless.

I have the privilege of working with folks who run the gamut in age, from young 20’s on up into their 70’s. If I’m to respect all people, no matter their age or health, I need to realize how necessary those limitations are for the good of everyone. Having people disregard such constraints puts everyone at risk.

Am I happy about this? No. This messes with my plans for the next few months. Everything is more challenging. There is disappointment in many instances. Isley, one of my grands, is in the production of “The Wizard of Oz” the first weekend in April, and that will most likely get postponed or canceled. Not doing what they’d prepared for is disappointing.

John watched ESPN as they canceled March Madness, MLS, NBA, and various other sports activities. Some are only postponed. But for the seniors who would have played in their final season for the championship, this was disappointing.

Uncertainty is hard to deal with. We all long for control over some areas of our lives; that rarely happens the way we anticipate.

In an uncertain world, we have an unchanging God. One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

We perceive life and respond as it affects us. God’s perception of all of life is complete; He knows everything, sees everything. Nothing is lost on Him.

Many will ask why He allows harsh things to happen like the coronavirus. If He’s a good God, why so much pain and out-of-control hysteria?

Because He’s not coercing anyone to follow Him. He invites us into His bigger picture, His grand presence. He forces Himself on no one. He allows us to make our decisions–free will is a reality.

And it’s messy.

Choosing to follow God in the midst of the harshness of life doesn’t guarantee freedom from illness or life working out as we want it.

He does guarantee peace.

And right now, that’s better than toilet paper.