Any Good Thing?

Immeasurable pain, suffering, loss, fear, despair, and death rest on the world as a result of this pandemic. At times, I have felt deep sadness and lament. I have had to continue to remind myself that Christ told us that in life we will have affliction, adversity, setbacks, tragedy, misfortune, distress, hardships, and suffering but, to take courage. TAKE COURAGE… to be resolute in difficult circumstances.

I attended a Women’s Summit on Saturday where the host opened the conversation with the question, “How has this pandemic positively impacted your lives?” Now that was different. Her question prompted me to reflect on a section of a lightning talk that I participated in several months ago where I asked the question, “Can any good thing come from this pandemic?”

My answer is Yes and here’s why. This crisis continues to provide us with opportunities to demonstrate through giving and serving, love for our neighbors. The only way some people will come to know what God is like is to see Him at work in their world through us. Christ calls his followers the “salt of the earth and light of the world.” (Matthew 5:13-19) Salt was a valuable commodity in their lives as it was used as a preservative for their meats and fish and it is flavorful. Salt was also used in some of the offerings made by the priests. When Christ spoke these words, he was trying to help his followers both then and now, to understand that we are to be useful and essential within our communities. Our love, presence, and works are valuable.

Secondly, this crisis has provided opportunities for self-awareness and reflection. Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him. From time to time, Abba will check to see what condition our hearts are in. We don’t know whether or not our love walk is strong if we aren’t presented with opportunities to love folk who are not easy to love or to love in tough situations. In our self-reflection, we examine our faithfulness, reverence, and commitment to prayer which we sometimes take for granted when things are going well in our lives. This pandemic has served as a reminder that at some point, we will all be faced with “a crisis of belief;” a situation bigger than we are that gravely challenges our faith. I believe that in those challenges, Abba is looking for three things.

1. Continual surrender – If we would be honest with ourselves, there is always something or some area of our lives to be surrendered.

2. Value the process – Be receptive to the usefulness of what God is doing in you, for you, through you, and with you.

3. Transformation – Consent to cooperate with transformation which yields a change in viewpoint, attitude, words, and character.

Thirdly, Abba reminded me that nothing takes him by surprise. I am simply not privy to Executive Triune Decisions. When I was a little girl, we spent Sundays after church at my maternal grandparents’ home. All the children had to stay outside and play while the adults sat in the “front room” and talked. If a child went to the entryway of the front room and stood for too long, one of my grandparents would ask what you wanted, but before you could answer, he or she would tell you to go back outside, “grown folks were talking.” You see, sometimes Abba gives us a heads up on what’s coming down the pike. We pray, he intervenes and we avoid the situation. Then there are other times that we are not privy to Triune decisions and we must go through the process, learn to relinquish control, and trust in God’s love.

In my journaling, I’ve reflected on the good things that have come about even in this pandemic, the ways my relationship with God and others has been impacted, and how interconnected the world truly is.

I encourage you to take a moment to think about five “good things” you feel have come about in your life or the world during this pandemic. Consider sharing them as a conversation starter with your family. Until the next post,

~ shalom

Photo credit WIX media

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