Many people are asking why a worldwide pandemic? Whose fault is it? Why now? Why me?

As one who tends to look at the larger picture rather than the narrow one, and coming from a Christian perspective, I have an opinion. It is an opinion, but based in what I read in Scripture. So, for what it’s worth, here it is.

All we like sheep have gone astray. We have each followed our own way and left God out of the center of our lives and beings. So, God has been calling us back to Himself, through the recent weather events: tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, droughts, fires and locust plagues. He has warned us of impending danger from climate change: melting ice, rising temperatures in the oceans, threats to island nations just a bit above sea level, and more extremes of weather. We have seen the negative effects of pollution from oil, plastic, waste products in our water, the oceans and land, syringes on our beaches, all testimonies of our lack of care or concern for the welfare of our world or its inhabitants. We have polluted the water, the air and our lungs with abandon, all in the name of profit. Our greed is killing the only place we have to live in this universe. Yet, we have steadfastly ignored the warnings.

So, perhaps God decided to make things even clearer about who is REALLY in control of the universe. He decided to stop everything and everyone in their tracks, with COVID-19. Borders closed, flights stopped, people had to stay at home for weeks and months at a time. Economies are rocked to the core. Manufacturing is almost at a standstill, hospitals are overrun with patients, people are dying in record numbers so we can barely keep up with burying them. We are told to wear masks and stay away from other people physically. Even our pets can catch this virus and pass it along! We cannot even be with our dying loved ones for fear we will be the next victim. The disparities in our societies coming out in stark terms: more dead, more sick, less help. Those we considered as “worker bees” are now some of our most important people: grocery store employees, janitors, postmen, trash collectors. Without them, our lives would really be in a mess, and we wouldn’t be able to stay safely “at home”. Our values have had to shift, but will those last after this is over?

Our entertainments have dried up as people must physically distance themselves because one can have this virus and not show any symptoms. So, no sports, no plays, no new TV shows or movies, no concerts. Even our appearance is affected: no haircuts, nail salons, beauty parlors. And if there are a few of them open, the risk of catching the virus is pretty high. Should one risk it?

Businesses are struggling, and many have had to give up altogether. Those who can work from home do so with a sigh of relief. Those who can’t, worry. Will they get sick? Will they spread it to their families if they go home? How long can they live with the tension?

Government leaders are in disarray. It is like the situation in Egypt described in Isaiah 19: 13ff

 The officials of Zoan are fools, and the officials of Memphis are deluded. The leaders of the people have led Egypt astray. The LORD has sent a spirit of foolishness on them, so all their suggestions are wrong. They cause Egypt to stagger like a drunk in his vomit. There is nothing Egypt can do. All are helpless—the head and the tail, the noble palm branch and the lowly reed.

As countries begin to try to reopen their lives and economies, God is watching to see how we respond. Do we acknowledge him as the creator and sovereign LORD of the universe, or do we continue on our selfish and greedy way to do what is “fun”, what pleases us without regard for the impact our actions will have on others and the environment. And there will be an impact, either way we go.

 
As I’ve talked with people who are about my age, we tend to agree that we don’t think of ourselves as being as old as we are. Take off at least 20 years! So, when we are warned that people d’un certain age (people of a certain age) should stay at home, possibly for the next eight weeks, it’s hard to realize that means ME!
 
I was in the grocery store four days ago, and I noticed that people were much more interactive than usual. It was almost common for people to smile and say something, as if the barriers to speaking with a stranger were coming down. We were all in this COVID0-19 thing together, and so we should be supportive of each other as we battle to find the supplies we need. The empty shelves in the paper products aisle and the bottled water aisle made one wonder if the local population had gone crazy, and maybe it has. But in spite of that, it seemed to be making us friendlier.
 
As I reflected on my personal calling to try to create community in the place where I live, I wondered how to do that given my age. Yes, I had to own up to the real age. Tomorrow, a friend is coming to stay for the rest of the week. She has just been in a conference with a lot of people and then on two flights to get here. No one will want to spend time with her at this point. Still, she will be welcome here, whatever comes our way.
 
But how do I reach out to the neighbors without compromising their health or mine? I could phone the elderly among us and just check on how they are doing. We can’t catch anything over the phone. The fact that I HATE to make phone calls means this exercise is stretching me. The two people I phoned this morning were appreciative, so hopefully that will encourage me to continue to do this. Since I have a healthy 19-year-old living here, if they need errands run, he can do that. (I think I can, but that’s my 20-year-younger self talking.)
 
Being of an introverted nature, I feel I can probably weather this storm quite happily. I should be able to get a lot done, provided I don’t decide I’m on holiday. The temptation to sleep late, binge watch movies that I’ve been meaning to see and play with my kitties is strong. But here I am, writing.  On Saturday I got some Spring Fever and started sorting out my pantry. I’ve got a long list of things for Ben to do. If I can stay on track, I should have plenty to do, including finishing the outside chair covers I started on months ago.
 
All in all, this VIRUS event may give many of us more time to do those things we have been thinking about doing for months or even years. We may also have more time for prayer and reflection, and that would do ALL of us a world of good.

The Beloved:
O Shepherd, Savior, LORD and King,
Spirit Holy who makes me sing
Words I barely understand,
But are surely by your hand.
 
Reign in me and rule my heart
In each new day your love impart
To change, reform and make me new
Til all my hopes become like You.
 
The Lover:
“Be at peace, my little child,
Though the storms be rough and wild
I am with you, peace be still
All in order, and in My Will.”
 
The Beloved:
You understand my anxious mind
The way to peace, O help me find.
Though tears will often blur my way
You have promised you’d always stay.
 
Hold me close when I feel lost
So much pressure, life so tossed
I’m often weak and tired with sin
How can you bear to love me again?
 
The Lover:
“That’s why I came, for ones like you
Taking your burden and making you new
Rest in my cleansing, my blood covers you
No condemnation, my love ever new.”

 Naima, my newer kitty, loves to have her neck, cheeks and chin scratched. She rubs on everything: doors, shoes, books, chairs. Spiral is fond of the same thing, but not quite as intensely. So, when I saw an advertisement for a cat self-groomer, I ordered 3. It took quite a while for them to arrive, but they finally came. I put one together and stuck it on the side of my desk. The instructions suggested that if they didn’t get close enough to it, to put some catnip inside to attract them. So much for instructions.
 
My cats, being rescue cats, are very sensitive about anyone trying to put them anywhere they don’t already want to be. They also have NO interest in catnip. They view this new grey contraption with great suspicion. I’ve placed their favorite toys nearby, including their scratching post. That has not worked yet.
 
I started to brush Spiral with one of the combs so she would have her scent on it. She loves it when I do that, but as for letting me put it down so she can rub herself on it, nothing doing. She has bitten it a couple of times, but not a single rub. I find myself wishing I were a cat, at least for a few minutes, so I could show them what to do. They will enjoy it so much!
 
In reflection, I realize this must be how God felt about the human race. He sent so many messages and prophets to try to explain how much he loved us, but we just didn’t get it. So, finally, he sent Jesus, a human like us, to show us what a great gift we were being offered. Many see the blessing and receive it with joy, but many others run away from the blessing as if it were a curse.
 
I wonder if my cats will ever understand? I wonder that I so often forget the great love that Jesus has offered me.

This is a reflection on Luke 5:1-11, considering what Peter may have been thinking when Jesus asked to use his boat.
 
Peter may have felt like a prop in the larger play when Jesus asked to use his boat. He’s been up all night, but had to wash out his nets before going home to bed. He heard what Jesus said at least with half an ear. It had been a disappointing night’s work – caught absolutely NOTHING. No sales. No money today. His wife would NOT be pleased. He knew these hard times all too well. As Jesus was wrapping up his talk, Peter looked forward to going home, whatever the consequences.
 
“You want me to WHAT?!” Peter must have thought this itinerant carpenter was crazy to think he knew ANYTHING about fishing. I can hear him saying, “Go out again to fish? We’ve been there and done that!” There are NO fish in the lake and daytime is NOT when you fish. I’m tired and I do NOT want to do this, but whatever…He will soon find out this is a useless exercise.”
 
Nets put out. “What’s happening? Fish! My nets are full, so full I can’t haul them into the boat! Better get some help. I’ll call James and John.”  “I’ve never seen so many fish! Where have they been all night? Wow, we have a boat full, and there are still more. In fact, I think this boat is starting to sink! OOPS! How is this happening?”
 
“Why is Jesus smiling?” Could he have caused this? He must have! Who is he anyway? How did he bring all these fish here at this time of day? That’s a God thing! He must be a holy man to have that kind of power. And he’s done this for me! Why? I’m just a poor fisherman who let him use my boat. I don’t deserve this, and he must not realize how unholy I am! I must ask him to leave because I’m not worthy to be in his presence. It’s all just too much!”
 
Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid. I have a job for you and instead of my leaving, I want you to come with me. I want your company, your presence, your friendship. Leave the work you are comfortable with and join us in telling the world the Good News of the Gospel. I am life, light, all you will ever need. Come with me.”
 
So, Peter, James and John all got out of the boat, left the boats, the nets, the fish and followed Jesus. Life would never be the same. When they lost their way after Jesus’ crucifixion, they went back to fishing. Once more, Jesus called them to let down their nets for a catch, and when they realized who he was, they left all, never to return.