Dear CCGR Family and Friends,
Many of you, like myself, are understandably feeling somewhat insecure these days. The Coronavirus has left us sequestered in our homes. There’s an uneasiness and uncertainty as to how long this will all last. We’ve lost, for the time being, a tremendous amount of freedom, freedom which we undoubtedly have taken for granted. More than anything else, though, there is the unknown. One cannot see or identify the virus until it has already taken root. We feel less in control of our lives. And there is a randomness in those infected that leaves all of us feeling unprotected and out on an island no matter what measures we take.
If any of this rings true to you, then I have something to share. We can be reassured that God is watching over us and will protect us. The writer of Isaiah says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) We may not be able to see the virus, only the effects of it. So too, though, can be said about the protection of the Lord. We have the option to choose fear and expectant mortality or to choose faith and hope in the Lord. The latter is what James Freeman draws on when he says in his ‘Prayer for Protection’, “The power of God protects me. The presence of God watches over me.”
Paul makes this abundantly clear in his letter to the Romans. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed, all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)
Does this mean that we can throw caution to the wind and go carelessly about our lives, intentionally disregarding the advice we are given? Of course not. God gives us the freedom of choice. But for every choice there are positive and/or negative ramifications. We may likely be faced with a new normal when all is said and done. Know, though, that God will be a part of whatever that new normal is. In the face of the adversity we are currently experiencing, we need only to boldly place our faith and trust in the Lord. God will protect us. Remember what the psalmist said, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6)
Be well. Be Safe. Stay Healthy!
And Have a Blessed Week!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Terry