It’s a shaking “of Biblical proportions.” That’s the effect Covid-19 is having on our society and the world economy. More significantly, it is the effect it is having on the economy of many, many individuals. And, it is the effect it is having on the life-style of pretty much every person on the planet.
Some are affected more than others. We all are experiencing change, and loss. Some are still going to work daily, but their jobs and their workplace are different than before. Some jobs lend themselves to being able to continue to work from home. Some don’t and have just ended. We hope they will start back up, but it may be awhile yet, and for some, a longer wait than others.
Most of us are stuck at home. If we want to go out, places and business we normally go to are either closed or offering “curbside service only.” It’s all pretty scary.
Social media was affected as well. Obviously, there are a lot of comments, memes and articles that express a variety of opinions, facts, fears and insights. Some look for humor to reduce the stress of our enforced isolation and “social distancing.” Others show anger and frustration. In addition, on-line traffic increased. You can tell a difference in how long it takes for “newsfeeds” to load, to access links, and open websites early in the morning and then, say, around 10 a.m. Lately, there has been an increase in comments and memes that indicate people are getting tired of all this.
We are experiencing a shaking. Many things that made up our lives were stripped away from us and radically changed very quickly and abruptly. Hebrews 12:27 speaks of a shaking that results in the “removing of those things that can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.” So, our world’s been shaken, and all the “created things” we have embraced outside our homes have been stripped from our grip. So we hunkered down in our homes and tried to make the best of it. But that’s kind of getting old now. We are beginning to realize that a lot of the stuff at home that we thought would hold our attention, entertain or fulfill us, is not doing the job long-term. It was okay for a little while, but not-so-much anymore. The TV, the computer, books, games, gardening, yard-work … none of it is really making us happy or giving us the comfort we hoped for in this storm.
In Ecclesiastes, wise King Solomon wrote about life and all the things man can pursue to find meaning and fulfillment. His conclusion was, “I have seen all the works which have been done under sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.” The word vanity is a 50-cent word for emptiness. He is saying it is empty, meaningless, unfulfilling. Not very encouraging, and he has 12 chapters of this stuff with only a few bright spots along the way. Life under the sun is like soap bubbles. Pretty! Pop! Nothing.
Where’s our hope? What can we hold on to? In His “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus talks about how men get anxious over acquiring their basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter. He says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.” Hebrews 11:6 says that it is impossible to please God without faith, because “he who comes to God must believe [faith] that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” In other words, if you seek Him, your search will be rewarded. You will find what you’re looking for. You will find Him. And that’s a pretty good find. Hebrews 12:28 picks up on this seeking Christ and His Kingdom idea and says we have a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. Therefore, “let us show gratitude.”
Romans 1:20 and 21 tell us that “created things” were intended to point us to the One who created them. This world, in all it’s intricate detail, and the universe in all it’s cosmic beauty, glory, and diversity, are meant to show us that a God much greater than anything that exists, created all that exists. The verses go on to say that most men refused to accept that, and instead of acknowledging the Creator and being thankful, they embraced created things and made up their own vain (empty) ideas about life, religion, relationships, and the world.
So, now, we’re experiencing a shaking that is stripping away most of the created things we have held onto. If the things themselves haven’t been stripped away, most of what is left has been stripped of it’s appeal and revealed for the emptiness it offers. Maybe it is time to seek Him. If what is temporal (temporary, worldly) doesn’t last, maybe it is time to cling to what does, to the Eternal. Which is more real? Something I can experience with my five senses, that falls apart, rusts, fades, and disintegrates over time, or Someone I can experience with my sixth sense, faith, Who transcends time and is eternal? Maybe it is time to acknowledge the Creator, and to show gratitude.
Gratitude? For what?!? That’s mostly up to you to figure out for yourself.
For me? Home. Family. Friends. Health. Life. Peace. Food. Clothing. Shelter. My wife. Christians I can fellowship with virtually, if not in person. A loving Heavenly Father, who will work in my life through this adversity to teach me more of His love, grace, and mercy than I knew before. Frankly, I’m thankful for this shaking. I am thankful that some of the temporal stuff and entertainment that was filling so much of my time before ain’t so shiny and pretty anymore – it is losing its appeal. I am thankful for a savior who wants me to share in eternal things that last.
Which is more real? Something I can experience with my five senses, that falls apart, rusts, fades, and disintegrates over time, or Someone I can experience with my sixth sense, faith, Who transcends time and is eternal? Share on X
