I understand this post may be controversial, or taken the wrong way, or misconstrued … but the purpose of me writing it is for one reason – when (not if) the next crisis happens, how can we, the church, improve – how the church can do better in times of crisis.
wwjd – what would jesus do?
I think about this a lot, especially when I’m about to do or say something and I wonder if it’s appropriate as a follower of Jesus. If I ask myself this question, it helps me decide if I should say or do whatever I’m thinking. Here’s a scenario for you …
The Galilee is buzzing with life and Jesus and His disciples are going about the area doing miracle after miracle. They get word from others that Herod Antipas has decreed an order for everyone to stay home because there is an outbreak of leprosy. He says all the markets are closed, no gatherings anywhere, and synagogues are to shut and lock their doors. It’s imperative to keep people apart and isolated as leprosy is very contagious and thousands of people have it – the leprosy camps are full to the brim. Jesus looks to His disciples and says what? Here are the options I’ve come up with.
- Ok guys, the king has decreed an order for everyone to stay home. No more miracles, teaching, visits with anyone until he says it’s ok. We’ll just hunker down here and wait. Put a sign on the door of the synagogue saying it’s closed to keep everyone safe. If someone comes to our door, tell them we’ll get back to them when it’s safe to go out. We’re all in this together and we need to love one another by staying apart and obeying the king.
- Wow, an outbreak of leprosy?! Ok guys, it looks like there are a lot of people who will need us. They will probably worry about dying from such a disease so we need to reassure them that I am the Great Healer and they should come to me, even when the king says not to. Let’s see who is sick and bring them food, or take care of their needs whatever they may be. Since all the markets and businesses will be closed, let’s open up our homes and feed those we can to make sure they don’t go without. Also, because the king wants to isolate them, let’s make sure they never feel alone. Visit (no phones or texting back then) them and make them feel loved, continuing to quell any fear they have because fear is a liar. This would be a great time to show people who I am, and I really need your help guys … ok?
I don’t know about you, but when I ask “what would Jesus do” I would tend to go with the second option. Unfortunately, this is not what I saw the church doing. Of course, there were many in the church who were, but here are my personal observations along with what others I have spoken to have said.
we didn’t look different from the world
This is the number one issue I see in how believers handled Covid. No matter what you think of the pandemic, no matter what you think of masks, no matter what you think of the Vax, this should have been different.
Fear is mentioned over 500 times in scripture – “do not fear” being mentioned the most. Why? Because we worship a sovereign God – one who controls all things. It’s like a child who falls off a ledge into his waiting dad’s arms because he knows his dad will catch him – no fear. That should be us. Why were/are so many believers fearful of this? Afraid of death? We should not fear death! Death means eternity spent with Christ. Maybe since I had a near death experience, my perception is different. THIS IS NOT OUR HOME! We should not be living in fear … ever.
God knows the exact day, minute, second you will be taken from this earth and either ushered into heaven or hell. What you do or don’t do will not change that date with destiny. My malaria experience proves that. What you SHOULD be concerned about is WHERE will you go? Where will your friends/family go?
The church missed a colossal chance to share and show others how we live with “the peace that passes understanding” because we do not fear death. We could have shown others hope, the hope of the gospel. But how do we do that when we’re closed up tightly in our homes, church doors closed, not letting anyone in and showing the same fear they feel? What would it have been like if believers shared this hope instead of talking about the disease and how dangerous it is and how so and so isn’t wearing a mask? What if we acted like Jesus in scenario two? I think the world may have said – I want what she has – PEACE! They would look at us as different … which is what we should be.
we were not unified rather we were clearly divided
I have no doubt God is on His throne shaking His head in disbelief over the conversations being had through social media or with family and friends. I definitely fall into this category. I am very aware of how I disappointed God during this time – I lost my focus. I’ve had to repent.
The gospel of John spends a lot of time teaching us that the world will know Me (Jesus) by how you (Christians) love one another. Fail. Big fail. Believers were pitted against one another (as were people in general). I heard on several occasions “if you don’t wear a mask, you are being unloving”. Or “we’ll know who the REAL Christians are by the ones following all the rules”. I cannot imagine Jesus ever saying that to anyone. We should have spent way more time serving one another, and those outside the family of God, rather than flapping our jaws … myself included.
Christians (and others, but we know better) are telling their own flesh and blood family that if they don’t do XYZ they are not welcome into their home. I don’t care what XYZ is – fill in the blank with whatever … would Jesus condone that? Ya, just throw away your family because they don’t agree with you. What if Christians showed the world that we were not going to buy into the divisive ammunition being sold by the world? Wouldn’t that be a great way to stand out? So, when your friend says, why are you letting those people in your home when they didn’t do XYZ, you can answer, because I love them and care about them, and we support one another even with differences. That would speak volumes rather than trashing people we supposedly once loved.
we chose to obey government rather than god
This was something I struggled with from the beginning. I searched scripture to find out how to deal with this conflict I had in my head. Fairly early on, the way the government handled things didn’t quite sit well with me. I asked my husband if I was just being rebellious (I can tend to do that), or if this conflict was legit.
Should churches shut down? Would Jesus think it’s ok for all the synagogues to be closed during the leprosy outbreak? What about all the sacrifices … would they stop too? How about singing praises … no more singing? I know one thing – the church was sifted during this time. I think committed Christians stayed committed and those on the fence left.
There’s the question of when to obey the government and when not to. Cori Ten Boom certainly did not. She kept Jews escaping death in her home, contradicting the rule of law. I’m sure she even said no when asked if she had seen any Jews lately. The Civil Rights Movement was all about changing law, but there were many who served blacks when it was against the law. When it is right to not obey the law? Scripture says if it contradicts God’s law then God’s law trumps all. Does that apply to Cori? I still don’t know the answer to this.
What I do know is I answer to God first. I’m going to put my trust in HIM, not anything or anyone else. I will rebel all day long if it means following God’s law and disobeying what the world is telling me. Would you? The days are getting darker and you will be forced to make a choice between God and government (or supposed freedom, or food for your family, or fill in the blank). Where does your alliance lie? You WILL be tested.
what happens next time?
It’s pointless to talk about all the failures and faults unless you talk about how to do something better. We can all learn from our mistakes in how we handled these last 2 years. Here is my opinion about how we can improve.
How the church body can be better in times of crisis
There were lots of churches that handled the pandemic well. They met outside, they met inside, they met and didn’t close their doors. They knew they were ESSENTIAL, contrary to what the government said. They were not disrespectful, they were not political, they were sensitive to others, they were not following the rules but rather God’s rules. These churches grew because those who didn’t have a place to go, went here. The lesson I learned … don’t close the doors. People can feel abandoned when the church closes the doors.
Did you know cults grow at an alarming rate during times of crisis? This is a fact. Since churches closed their doors during a time of crisis, people migrated to cults. Why, on earth, would churches think closing their doors would be a good thing? People panic, fear, and run to something that welcomes them in and assures them everything will be ok when they are in crisis. Cults are emotionally based and lure people in when they feel the most vulnerable. But they are being told lies in a cult. The church can give them the truth that sets them free of panic and fear.
Talk about all the things people are feeling – mostly fear which is a driving force in a crisis. Address it Biblically – what does God say … He has a lot to say about this! Rather than following the protocol of the world which was very much fear driven, assure people that fear = lack of trust in God. Let’s show the world the peace that comes with being a follower of Jesus.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Rather than lock yourself in your house, go into the world more than you ever have! Satan uses isolation as a tool, and he did a great job these last 2 years making sure people didn’t see each other. Isolation also makes your mind go to places that are dangerous, hence the major upswing in suicides and mental illness. We, as believers, can visit people and give them the hope of Christ in a way that is safe and effective. Anyone else see how Satan used this to his enormous benefit?
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
Don’t fear death. This will allow you to live the way Christ expects us to. The Apostles and early believers didn’t care about dying – they did what they believed in no matter the consequences. The early church was chock full of martyrs. Being a Christian isn’t “safe”. Missionaries go to dangerous locations. The people that brought the Ebola crisis to a close were from Samaritan’s Purse – risking their lives. If you fear death, you’re missing out on God’s call if He wants you doing something dangerous. Stephen didn’t fear death when he stood before the Sanhedrin and spoke truth that was controversial. And when he was stoned, he was ready for heaven.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
II Timothy 1:7
Think about the 2 greatest commandments – love the Lord your God, and love others. Simple. Nothing else matters.
This pandemic is a world changer. Call me a conspiracist, or whatever you want. Personally, I believe this was a test to see how the world responds to control, and in my opinion, it was obvious. The unfortunate thing is this … I think believers would trust “experts”, the government, whoever, more than they would the One True God. The world would too, but we know better. You will be tested. Your faith will be tested. Your allegiance will be tested. Consider who you will follow when given the choice.
WWJD? Ask yourself this question and then act accordingly. Search scripture for obvious answers or look to scripture for scenarios that could be similar. I know what I’ll be doing differently next time. I’ll hold my tongue more and I’ll use my hands more (serving). I will spend much more time speaking about God’s love, faithfulness, and eternity with Him much more than I did this time around. We’ll get plenty more chances to love and serve others well, and to prove to God how much we trust Him by not fearing anything or anyone. The world looks at believers during times of trouble. Live like the end is near … and people’s eternal lives are at stake.
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
I Peter 4:7-11