A Light Heart

Spring finds us in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic and though we are safe (or stuck, depending upon your viewpoint), at home, the heaviness of heart as we consider all things is weighty indeed. Whether we ascribe to all things CDC/WHO or consider alternative theories of how viruses work; whether we forgo, wear, recommend, make, or insist upon wearing masks; whether we hunker down hiding behind our fortress of toilet paper or attempt to keep small town businesses open via take out…everything, everything is in question, and everyone has an opinion that is the blossom of what they’ve fertilized their thinking and lifestyle with even before this great challenge hit.

The disasters are real and ongoing, whether health, economic, or emotional (or any combination thereof). Amongst all of the great griefs, is the grief of all of the unknowables, of receiving proper information untainted by worldviews, advertising dollars, and various agendas. It does seem to me that honest and courageous journalism, the kind that asks skeptical questions and digs into said worldviews, dollars, and agendas, is sorely lacking on all accounts. So it is no wonder behaviors range from accusing solitary folks walking in great forests as murderers wanting others to die, to others ignoring every safety precaution even to simply put their neighbor at ease.

We can’t possibly know everything, even in 2020, about the human body and how and why and under what circumstances one person in an elevator falls ill, but others within the same space at the same time do not. Very few ask those kinds of questions. And we may look aghast, and perhaps rightly so, at medical practices in 1850, but somehow we do not give ourselves the humility to consider people in 2200 (should the Lord tarry) may have the same sense of arrogance and disbelief regarding what we are doing and how we are thinking today. Yet here we are, in a world (or a nation, at the least) that claims to hold tolerance as its highest moral virtue…and instead of robust argument, dialogue, question, and consideration, we have shouting, insulting, and social shaming.

Perhaps we ought to decline both: the semblance of omniscience, and the assumptions we are aware of everyone else’s motives.

Still, here we are. Regardless of how we think on these larger issues, may I submit one question as we navigate how to live? It is this: what would please and honor God?

Recently I read 1 Thessalonians, because I wanted to see what Paul said to these believers living in far greater difficulties than we are in. Paul was full of commendations to them, and I began to jot the list. He praised them for, and exhorted them to continue in their (now, really read them, don’t skim!):

work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope (1:3)
sending out the word of the Lord (1:8)
serving the living and true God (1:9)
waiting for Jesus (1:10)
walking worthy of God (1:12)
establishment and comfort in faith (3:2)
faith and charity, and for greatly desiring Christian fellowship (3:6)
standing fast in the Lord (3:8)
increasing and abounding in love (3:12)
walking to please God (4:1)
abstaining from sin (4:3-8)
loving the brethren (4:9) and comforting one another (4:18)
studying to be quiet, doing their own business, working with their own hands (4:11)
walking honestly (4:12)
remaining watchful and sober (5:6)
putting on faith and love and the hope of salvation (5:8)
edifying one another (5:11) and esteeming one another highly in love (5:13)
peace (5:13) and patience toward all (5:14)
ever following that which is good (5:15)
rejoicing and praying (5:16-17)
giving thanks in everything (5:18)
proving all things and holding fast to that which is good (5:21)

These are completely relevant today. In the midst of all of this upheaval and unknowable, if you want to experience a life of walking with and pleasing God—the One who rode upon a donkey into Jerusalem in order to take on the wrath of judgement for your sins and mine—then we cannot lay these things aside simply because our circumstances are difficult. In fact, these things can be, as for the Thessalonian Christians, the fruit of faithfulness IN our circumstances!

Try meditating upon a sliver of this list. Today, for example, consider what a “work of faith” looks like for you, where you are, in this time. As an example for me, it is continuing to encourage and teach Ruby (now 11) to read, even if I have no assurance she will ever speak well.

Or what does a “labour of love” look like right now? Planting a garden? Sewing masks? Making meals or grocery shopping for your elderly church members?

Or how might you be an instrument of love to your church body? Or bring them comfort? Our local church has many gals on a Marco Polo app right now, and that has been a tremendous blessing.

And “giving thanks in everything” is not simply a command, it is food for our soul to plant the seeds of worship and praise. Perhaps begin a “what we are thankful for” list on a chalkboard or on packaging paper, and let everyone add to it.

You can see how each line is ripe for meditation and application!

Let us not waste this time steeping in fear and anxiety, but with prayer cast every burden upon the Lord to carry. We cannot know everything, and we do not know when we shall die or from what cause, but this we do know: Christ the Lord has risen indeed, and better to feed our spirits and minds with His Word which is forever true than to succumb to fearing and hating our own lives and neighbors.

Better, methinks, to have a light heart.

Blessings,