It was only four weeks ago when we were racing around with our busy lives. Now most of our entire world is either in lock down or self-isolating due to COVID-19 and rightfully so!
And much like I may run to our recently converted spare bedroom now office to take a quick or lengthy work phone call I cannot hide in their too long without out children finding me!
My sister and I were talking about how much things can change in a short amount of time. A month ago our important conversations consisted of where we should place the check-in table for kids church. How different our lives are now. We were busy in the ‘rat race’ of life – as they call it, a life we loved. A life full of many important things, some more important than others – like getting to school pick up on time. But isn’t it amazing how we can fill up our lives with so very much until all of a sudden they are at a total standstill and we find ourselves kept in the confinement of our own home and families.
To be honest, the busyness works. It works with family, marriage, ministry, relationship with kids, Jesus – you name it! Why? Because you can skip and avoid necessary and difficult conversations. It works because you can be so distracted with the busyness of life you skim the surface on your relationship with Jesus and your kids. So what happens when all the running around is suddenly stopped, and you are left in your home with your spouse, partner/friend, children and Jesus? We may run but we can’t hide.
Matthew writes in chapter 5, verses 13 to 16 how we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Like a town that is built on a hill cannot be hidden we are to let our light shine before others so that they may see our good deeds and glorify Jesus.
In a time of great darkness, angst and despair Jesus has called us to be light. Really, there’s never been a greater time to choose to shine this light – to our spouses, families, those we meet at the checkout and neighbours we can still speak with over the fence. This light that He has given us to influence our world for good.
Perhaps Jesus is using this time to make us more aware of this light that we have living inside of us. And in the same way that we wouldn’t turn on our bedside light only to cover it with a blanket, we called to give light to those around us. Like for example, when our child asks again why he can’t have his friends come over – in that moment we are to shine light. Maybe God is wanting to shine the light on areas of our own lives and relationships that need restoring. Maybe just maybe, God is desiring His relationship with us to be restored.
David writes in Psalm chapter 139, versus 7-11 (TPT)
Where could I go from your Spirit?
Where could I run and hide from your face?
If I go up to heaven, you’re there!
if I go down to the realm of the dead, you’re there too!
If I fly with wings into the shining dawn, you’re there!
If I fly into the radiant sunset, you’re there waiting!
Wherever I go, your hand will guide me;
Your strength will empower me.
It’s impossible to disappear from you or to ask the darkness to hide me,
For your presence is everywhere, bringing light into my night.
His presence is everywhere – bringing light into our life.
It’s easy to place our trust in idols, that’s why scripture warns against it. David writes in Psalm 24 ‘do not place your trust in an idol or swear by a false God.’ We need to be sure we aren’t making an idol of out this virus. Because when we do that’s when we start to fret yet Jesus brings light and this light radiates and it permeates even the most broken of hearts.
Jesus is wanting us to draw close, to become more intimately acquainted with Him. Will we spare some time during this COVID-19 period to draw near? We can run but we can’t hide.
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Elise Pappas is a Pastor and together with her husband pastor a church on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. They have a son, Jonathan and a daughter, Sophie. Elise is a former clinical drug trial research coordinator and business owner. She writes about life and ministry experiences.
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