The Coronavirus: The Church's Unique Moment to Shine
The media has been a firestorm as it relates to the coronavirus. In Boston, universities have moved to online classes for the rest of the semester, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been cancelled, and the governor has declared a state of emergency for Massachusetts. As believers, how should we be thinking about this? Could it be that this is a unique moment for our faith to shine to a panicked world and for the world to see our love for one another? What are ways we can put our faith forward in the midst of this outbreak? Here are a few thoughts.
1. Shining Confidence
The world doesn’t have any footing for situations like these. When the world loses their illusion of control, we stand on the assurance of our omnipotent God who has never lost it. He knows the number of my days (Psalm 139:16, Job 14:5) and he controls what comes into my life, when it does, and how long it lasts. If death is the worst that can happen to me, I can walk confidently because what’s next is “Gain.” Paul says it best, “To live is Christ, to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). We can be confident that neither trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword [or pandemics or disease] shall separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:34-35). The pillow for my head that gives me ease and comfort is that God is Sovereign. What the world needs to see of me is not a frightened, scrambled person but someone confident in the promises of Christ.
2. Shining Generosity
You might remember in Acts 2 how the fellowship of believers sold their possessions so the money could go toward those in need. Or in Acts 4 when Joseph sold his field and offered the proceeds to the apostles. The money was used to serve those less fortunate. If the virus spreads, it will undoubtedly spread to believers. This could really impact them financially if their employers adjust payment. What might I sell or give away to meet the needs of fellow believers at King’s Hill or believers in Boston? John writes in his gospel, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). The generous love of giving up something I own or possess for the well-being of another is the kind of thing that gets the world’s attention. Will this virus bring out selfish hoarding or radical giving?
3. Shining Hospitality
Christians have been known throughout world history to go into “sick-zones” and serve those hurting, even when everyone around them fled. Rodney Stark writes in The Rise of Christianity how Christians responded to the Plague of Cyprian in the third century. Dionysius—a Christian leader, observed this:
“Heedless of danger they took charge of the sick, attending to their every need and ministering to them in Christ, and with them departed this life serenely happy; for they were infected with the diseases, drawing on themselves the sickness of their neighbors and cheerfully accepting their pains.”
Stark argues this “crazy and foolish” kind of hospitality was a catalyst for the explosive growth of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Even at great cost to myself, how will I be willing to serve the sick around me? In times of sickness, the world will default to self-preservation. What will shine is a people that move toward self-sacrifice, for that was the way of Jesus.
4. Shining Compassion
As I look at the stats for coronavirus fatalities, it might be easy to dismiss since the risk is lower for me than most. However, if the virus does spread, the odds are high that I will know people deeply affected. How might I suffer with someone who loses a parent or a grandparent? How will I weep with those who weep? (Romans 12:15) How will I mourn with the mourner? We don’t like to step into messes. They’re taxing and hard and sometimes awkward. And yet, we learn stepping into the brokenness, not shying away from it, was the path Jesus took. We shine when we identify with the hurt, and even put it on ourselves, for the sake of bearing the burdens of those around us.
5. Shining Urgency
I’ve been thinking about the people in my life that are more susceptible and vulnerable to the life-threatening consequences of the virus. What conversations should I be initiating so I can make sure the Good News of Jesus is shared once more? Death always seems like “one day in the distant future” and so salvation never appears like a felt need—except when death looks more like “one day soon.” People are searching for hope during this season of uncertainty, and we have it to offer.
I believe this is a unique historical moment for the church. When the days look the darkest, God is up to something good and glorious. And it’s in the darkest days, the church has the greatest potential to shine. Let us pursue shining in these 5 ways as we look to Jesus, trust in his sovereignty, and believe in his promises.
If you’re looking for a Boston church to call him, we’d love for you to visit King’s Hill.