Four God-given iso teachings
In the season of life we are in, there are four lessons I’ve been challenged to learn about God and living wisely in his world. I hope I’ll remember these into the future. While I may have known some of them theoretically, thanks to the restrictions on gathering, I’ve come to know some of them in a new way.
1. Despite roadblocks, God continues to work by his word
There are a bunch of stories I’ve heard of people coming to hear the gospel during isolation. Today I even heard of someone starting a relationship with God through an online connection with a Christian from a church nearby. Awesome! I pray we’ll hear more of these stories. Perhaps it’s been over the fence as neighbours talk. Perhaps it’s been as guests join online church services. New ways to share the gospel are emerging. A recent survey in the UK found that one quarter of British adults have watched a religious service since the coronavirus lockdown began. Who would have thought the word might go out like this even three months ago?
2. Creation brings rest
If you’re a lover of the outdoors, you might think this is an obvious point to make. While I’ve known it’s true, it’s come home to me in a new way. With exercise being a legitimate excuse to leave your residence, many people have taken to the outdoors. It’s amazing that bikes have sold out in some shops. As my family has done laps of the neighbourhood, and spent more of our down-time outside, it’s good to feel the effects of nature. We read in the Scriptures that it is the heavens which declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1). As Jesus says, ‘Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was adorned like one of these! If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t He do much more for you—you of little faith? (Matt 6:28-30). Creation rests not only our bodies and minds, but our souls as it points us to our Creator.
3. Less choice provides an opportunity to pursue contentment
We are an options generation. Or, that is, we were an options generation until the world went into lockdown. We had the choice to travel, to spend, and to experience almost anything. We are used to hearing messages in our media that tell us we need more knowledge, money, experiences, comfort. When rightly used in glory to God, these choices can be a blessing. But they can also be a snare to us such as in the parable of the sower. Jesus speaks of ‘the worries of this age and the seduction of wealth’ which choke the word and make it unfruitful (Matt 13:22). Elsewhere Paul talks about the secret of contentment, which he twice he says he had to learn. It was something he learned to have whether in plenty or in need (Phil 4:11-14). Having less choice, then, gives us a chance to ask: what is it that satisfies me? Am I entangled in worldly pursuits? Or am I learning contentment in God? Might losing access to some things be a trial that refines my faith and produces more thankfulness for what God has already given me in Christ (1 Pet 1:6-7)?
4. Physically gathering is a gift from God
I probably thought the freedom to gather wherever, whenever was a given for my lifetime in Australia. But being unable to meet reminds me of Biblical commands which in regular life can at times seem like hard work. There is the call to keep showing hospitality (Heb 13:2). It can be tiring. There is the call to share with believers in need (Rom 12:13). That’s costly. There is the call to rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep (Rom 12:15). That is in spite of my own felt needs. Or there is the great exhortation to keep meeting together: ‘And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near’ (Heb 10:25). Sometimes gathering is amazing, sometimes it’s tiring. Sometimes it’s both at once. Nevertheless we’re called to keep at it! And yet, now, without the freedom to meet, the commands of scripture make more sense than ever. Physically gathering regularly is a great help to one another’s growth as we await Christ’s return. We give thanks for the technology. But the new creation itself will be a physical existence. We’ll have perfected bodies–not screens–as we see face to face (1 Cor 13:12). What great news that is. And all the more so for those with chronic illness that keeps them in isolation much of their lives.
Perhaps there are other lessons you have learned during this time. Perhaps there are more lessons we are yet to learn. As we humble ourselves, God gives more grace to his children (James 4:6). Paul says: ‘I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me’ (Phil 4:13). Peter echoes the same: ‘if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything’ (1 Pet 4:11). It’s a good thing to serve a God who not only keeps teaching us, but who helps us to keep living out his will for our lives.