Last week I was reading about a group of people that left on a 25 day rafting trip through the Grand Canyon before the corona virus outbreak. They returned after 25 days without contact with anyone to a world that was much different than when they left. You can read the entire account here. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/opinion/coronavirus-news.html?searchResultPosition=1
These folks had to grapple with the reality that their life had changed. They had no warning, no time to adjust, for them the shift was dramatic. Relatively speaking, this happened quickly for all of us. We all find ourselves in a world that is much different than it was 2 months ago. For the people coming out of the Grand Canyon to this new world, they wanted to go back onto the river and back to the way things were. This is quite likely our desire as well. However, as believers, we are not called to hide, ignore or run from the difficult things in this world. We should instead look for opportunities in this new world we live in. Who is now more open to hearing the Gospel? Who is more accessible for us to build relationships with? Who is looking for hope? Who is in need that we can help?
We can view this crisis as a time to hide from reality or at the other extreme, fight against reality. But if we choose to do either of these things, we are investing time and energy in something that will be fruitless in the end. Instead, let’s embrace this new reality, not because we love it or because it is what we would have chosen, but because there is opportunity for the Kingdom of God in this difficult time.
We can look to Galatians 6:9-10 for the call for us: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
This is a world we did not imagine 2 months ago, but that does not mean that we should retreat. Rather we should be grab ahold of the opportunities that we now have. The reality is that at some point, these opportunities will pass. People will find a new normal and will come up with ways to cope and numb the glaring need for hope that they feel right now. Let is not grow weary or wither, but boldly build the Kindgom of God. Take a few moments right now and consider where there are new opportunities for the Kingdom of God to advance in your circle of influence. Take action on those opportunities now while people’s eyes and ears are open to the Truth.