None of these stories represent something we didn’t care about before, but they all bring clarity right now.
Clarity about what is important, about what matters. And here’s the “surprise”…
Everything that matters, all that is important, in every single situation, is people.
There are no exceptions. It’s people!
OK, that’s not a surprise.
But it’s real, and it’s powerful. In fact, it can be life-changing if we intentionally do whatever it takes to continue to live out this truth that we’ve always known.
That’s what’s hard. When we get to the “other side,” and we will, what will we remember about what we have learned, and how will we live differently?
Maybe, like me, it requires nothing more than slowing down, even just a little.
4) Creativity
The creativity and ingenuity that is rising up during COVID-19 is incredible.
Researchers and scientists are putting their best minds and energies into finding a cure.
Creative and resourceful thinking is producing home-made masks that help save lives.
One wedding was held at home with just immediate family, and everyone who would have attended drove by their house at an appointed time and honked. That must have been fun!
Our family celebrated my mother-in-law’s birthday by all standing outside in their back yard, holding signs, and singing happy birthday!
This unprecedented time is an incredible opportunity for the church to rise up in creativity to reach people for Jesus and help them mature in their faith.
There are so many possibilities for creativity and innovation, including:
- Family devotions online
- Next-gen ministries online
- New follow up systems for guests and those that commit to Christ
- Better streaming capacities
- More productive social media
- New methods for leader meetings
- Innovative ways for training
and the list goes on.
Two good things about all this creativity in the church:
- Some of it will stick as a new way of doing things even after we get to go back to our church buildings and worship together again.
- We will remember we can do more than we think, and better than we imagined when the heat is on!
5) Sacrifice
I am humbled by so many first responders and especially our health-care workers. They are on the front lines and risking their own safety and welfare for the lives of others.
You probably know a doctor, nurse, or hospital staff member. Thousands of us are praying for them daily, asking God to protect them as they serve others.
You may not be called or equipped to serve on the front lines. But we can all do something, from prayer to making home-made masks.
It’s not just in the field of health; the economy also benefits by sacrifice. Delta Airlines announced that approximately 10,000 employees have voluntarily taken unpaid leave. This leave or furlough is a double-edged economic sword but clearly helps Delta get through the crisis.
I pray your job is secure and even prosperous, but if you are employed, you may have the opportunity to help someone else.
Sacrifice is a deep thing to consider.
Sacrifice is not about performance, guilt, or a scoreboard. It’s between you and God. This may or not be your moment for sacrifice, just be attentive to God.
… Five good things that can come from one bad virus.
We are all in this together. I hope this encourages you to help increase what is good.
This article originally appeared here.
