First of all, I want to make it very clear that I’m not glad this pandemic is happening. Thousands have died and our economy is going nuts. I’m not glad about any of this. If I had the ability to flip a switch and make it never happen, you can bet I would do so in a heartbeat, however there are a few things this coronavirus is bringing about that I am glad to see. Here’s three reasons why I think the coronavirus is good.
#1 The Coronavirus is Shattering our American Safety Idol
If you haven’t traveled outside of the US, you might not have noticed America’s preoccupation with safety. Because of our wealth, we’ve managed to do a pretty good job at securing two things no other generation or culture has ever experienced before. We’ve created one of the safest and most comfortable place on the planet. I won’t talk about comfort here, but if you do want to read more about that, check out my blog Breaking Down Idols: Comforts.
Think about it, we can drive clear across the country and never be concerned about our safety. We aren’t concerned about starving to death, getting bombed, or being murdered by our neighbors or a stranger, of course this might not be the case for every American. Back in the day, people always traveled in groups, or brought weapons with them when they traveled. Because we generally live in such extreme safety, we never really think about death. We just assume we can keep doing what we are doing and life will go on. In other words, we don’t need God to keep us safe.
Now that this virus is spreading like crazy, everyone is forced to consider the fact that going outside is no longer safe. Even staying inside isn’t safe. It could be anywhere. On top of this, with the economy dropping and many people getting laid off, our future is no longer safe either. We are exposed, we are at risk, we no longer know what our future holds.
#2 People are Recognizing They aren’t in Control
It’s pretty easy to not think about God, heaven, or hell when life is all going your way. Now however, we are starting to see that we aren’t in control. Not even our country is in control. Our entire human race, even when we work together, is in trouble. We can’t save ourselves. And, in the end, every single one of us is going to die some day.
So, if we aren’t in control then who is? There’s two responses to the realization that we aren’t in control. Either we will panic or find peace. If there is no God, then the whole world weighs on your shoulders and you need to do whatever you possibly can to have as much control as possible. Think about the stress this would bring.
The other way you could look at it is to acknowledge we aren’t in control and find peace knowing then that God has to be in control. He’s orchestrating things and using bad to bring about good. He’s raising up people for events and critical situations that haven’t even happened yet. God knew this coronavirus would come, and he’s been at work hundreds of years before to make sure the right people with the right knowledge and passion are where they need to be to make sure this tragedy is as small as possible while still bringing about the positive goal God desires. We can rest in peace knowing that even when we aren’t in control, God is. And he will do what is best.
#3 People are Waking Up to the Realization that They Need God
If God knew this tragedy was coming, then why didn’t he stop it before it happened? I believe God allowed the coronavirus to happen. I don’t think God caused it to happen. Diseases, pain, and death came about as a result of our sin. God now uses these difficulties to remind us that this world is corrupt and that we are designed to live in a perfect place without fear, pain, or death. In the same way, this coronavirus reminds us that this world is not perfect and that we deep down long for something better. It’s also a good reminder that this world cannot satisfy us.
Our existence here is fragile, and this virus is exposing this truth. We need God. During 9/11 tens of thousands turned back to God, and so I’m praying that the same thing will happen again in the upcoming weeks.
I Think the Coronavirus is Good
I wish we could turn to God without tragedies like this, but that simply doesn’t happen. People don’t turn to God when their life is good, they turn to God when he pulls back and exposes them to the reality of this world. I’m glad that these things are happening right now even though it’s unfortunate that it takes bad things like the coronavirus to cause us to turn back to God.
This is why it’s critical that we as Christians take advantage of this opportunity to share the gospel with people around us. So many are freaking out, and they need the news you hold now more than any other time. If you need help learning what to say, you can check out this incredible four minute evangelism crash course video. There’s no sense in delaying. Ask God to bring you opportunities to share the gospel and then follow God by taking those wild steps of faith.
If you’d like to check out my last post, click here: Did you Go on Any Fun Adventures in the Middle East?
