What a day in which we are now living! 

The recent Coronavirus situation has resulted in high levels of confusion, uncertainty, and even led to fear and frustration. Very few of us, if any, are unaffected in some way. During these uncertain and confounding times, I find myself experiencing a wide range of emotions and thoughts which range from serenity to stress, from complacency to confusion, and from poise to protest. Honestly, I’m all over the place. 

In such volatile situations, I am often reminded to keep a cool head, and a warm heart. In the face of the howling winds of information coming in my direction, I find I must put down some anchors which will hold me steady and stable. There are four such moorings which I trust will keep me tethered:

·      I am called to always honor the Lord and His Word. Now is not the time to jettison the truths which I have held during moments of peace and clarity. I am to remember that God is in control and God is near. The Lord is to continue to receive my praise as well as my petitions during seasons of uncertainty and upheaval. I am to trust the Lord with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6). God’s promise is that my paths will be made straight. There are no circumstances under which I am allowed to let go of the revealed truths and convictions in which I place my faith and confidence. 

·      I am commanded as a believer to yield to the authority of rulers and government leaders, to obey them and to be prepared to render all the good service I can (Titus 3:1). I do not pretend to have all knowledge and understanding of everything that is behind the decisions which are made that affect our lives. At some point, I am called to trust those who have such knowledge and authority over me. Personally, I find this can be very infuriating. But the writer of Scripture knew this, and so Paul continued; don’t speak bad of anyone, but be peaceable and considerate, exercising gentleness to all people (Titus 3:2). The CDC and our President have asked us to cooperate by limiting our gatherings to ten people or less, and to practice certain habits to minimize the rapid spread of the coronavirus. This message has been made clear.

·      I am charged to support my local church family. Uneasy times do not excuse me from continuing in my commitments and obligations to my church. I am charged to worship, and to pray, and to give, and to serve, and to encourage, and to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3). I am to do this not just some of the time, but all of the time. 

·      I am compelled to care for the body of Christ and to help others in our fellowship to do the same(1 Peter 5:1-11). It is not my job to understand everything or to know all things. It is not my job to offer explanations to everyone’s satisfaction. Neither is it my job to make decisions with which all people will find hearty agreement. It is my job, however, to care for the Body of Christ and to help others in our fellowship to do the same. Choosing to not react in anger, frustration or defiance is a very present dynamic for me. That’s just telling you the honest truth. But I regularly remind myself that I would be far more productive and useful imagining ways to care for you and carry out my responsibilities in a new way during these weeks of contending with the virus, than to spend that precious time complaining and resisting. 

These are the principles I am employing to guide me through these unprecedented days. We’ve never encountered such circumstances together before. We will need to try out some news ways to engage in former practices. We will need to make some decisions which won’t please everyone. But together, we will not only get through this, but we will become closer and grow stronger and find yet undiscovered ways to bring honor and glory to our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Your Pastor and Servant of the Lord Brian Cook