Insight from a sixth generation pastor.

What I'm Learning From a Virus

4/1/2020

Still early in this crazy time, here are a few things I’m seeing. What are you learning?

The Humble are Heroes
The value we place on certain vocations has flipped. Modest workers are superheroes: grocery store workers, farmers and other producers, nurses, teachers. Who is rendered useless? Sports heroes. Celebrities. Wall Street.

Non-Essential Busyness
How much of our busyness was non-essential? Today, my calendar is obsolete. Most things I had in it are canceled. How important were those things? How many hours were filled with unnecessary fluff? The virus has granted us a forced Sabbath. Now is the time to redefine the essential.

Rugged Individualism is a Myth
Humans are designed for relationship and community. God coded us this way (Gen. 2:18). Total independence is a fallacy. We’re all interconnected.

It Is Dangerous to be Isolated
We're not nearly done with our quarantine time. I'm concerned about the hidden effects of isolation. The first week or two is a novelty, but reality sets in.  Reach out to someone.

A Sunny Day is a Gift.
Walks are therapeutic. Birds are loud in the morning. Squirrels don’t care about a virus.

Admit Anxiety
It’s real. Everything about our lives is threatened – health, jobs, income, homes, relationships. It’s natural to have a variety of responses – anger, sadness, despair, fear.

Anxiety Needs an Outlet
It’s not enough to talk about feelings. That brings momentary relief. You need to take your anxiety somewhere, or rather to Someone. “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (I Pet. 5:7). Tired and breathless, we fall at the feet of our Lord. We toss every care into his lap. He can handle it.

Audrey Duensing-Werner

4/1/2020 10:33:28 am

This is all the things that I’ve been thinking too. In scripture it tells the story of when the sun stood still...we will be able to talk about the day that the world stood still

Jeff

4/3/2020 01:37:53 pm

Thanks, Audrey. Yes, this will leave a mark on a generation. We won't be the same. I'm especially watching young people. How will this mark their generation?

Clarence Berndt

4/1/2020 11:05:18 am

We hear it said frequently "We're all in this together." That's what God has been saying since Adam and Eve. He assured them that He was with them. He promised an Immanuel (God with us.). How often didn't He say to someone "I am with you." (Samuel, Joseph, Mary, the disciples). He was with Mary and John from the cross, came to the disciples after His resurrection. We can trust His promises and His performance. We're not isolated. Blessings.

4/3/2020 01:38:23 pm

Thanks, Clarence. So true.

Carol A Hubbard

4/1/2020 11:41:08 am

God is showing me not to take things for granted. I used to complain if I got out of the house only once a week. Now it is going on 4 weeks. I used to complain if I didnt see my family all of the time. Now I never do. I took it all for Granted. Now God is having me draw closer to him.I read my bible more. I listen to the birds in. the back yard. Little things like that. Appreciate beautiful weather. I still get anxious but I repeat be anxious for nothing

4/3/2020 01:38:57 pm

Thanks, Carol. Yes, much to be grateful for.

Dona Forbes

4/1/2020 12:11:09 pm

Mark 6:31 "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place & get some rest." were the words I heard in my anxious heart that Tuesday after Bible Class. I knew instantly that Jesus was with me during this unscheduled episode. I am enjoying hours of Bible Study, sharing on facebook, connecting with family & friends via telephone & text, prayer, & fasting. I am being renewed & refreshed as we wait upon the Lord.

4/3/2020 01:39:29 pm

Thanks, Dona. There certainly is time now. A forced Sabbath is a place to rest.

Julie Jones

4/1/2020 01:22:55 pm

All of this isolation has just helped me understand the more that I am not in control as much as I thought I was - God is in control! I am totally dependent on Him to see me through this and all of lifes' up and downs.

4/3/2020 01:40:35 pm

Thanks, Julie. We're all learning how helpless we are. If we thought we were in control . . . well, that's shattered.

Jonathan Butterfield

4/2/2020 05:46:17 am

Great stuff, Pastor Cloeter. My prayer is that we don't have short memories after things return to 'normal' and fail to remember all the lessons we're learning.

4/3/2020 01:41:54 pm

True, Jonathan. It reminds me of a refrain throughout Deuteronomy, "Remember . . . when you're in the land . . . remember." Especially watching how teenagers process it and are impacted. They will remember, but how will it change their life?

Lorri Holtgrieve

4/3/2020 06:14:23 am

So much of what you said here is what I've been thinking too so thank you for pulling it together so succinctly. I feel very strongly that we've been given the gift of time - time to reconnect with our families, with nature, with ourselves and with Jesus. In essence time to 'be still'. I find that embracing this gift of stillness makes me better able to handle the "But I can't..." that comes up.

4/3/2020 01:42:37 pm

Thanks, Lorri. I just read your mind to write this post. :)

Nancy Stallard

4/7/2020 11:22:09 am

Great thoughts, yes most of our world ( in America) is “fluff” and not really needed-- especially possessions and entertainment. I think it’s actually neat for people to see we CAN live without all the sports, events and “extra stuff.” Families are spending more time together, some for the 1st time in years, that is great to see! People who lived “simply” before this time are not seeing much of a difference in their lives, others are seeing a lot of what they were pursuing/spending time and money on really doesn’t matter, and that can be a cool lesson for all of us to learn from. God is speaking, (Shouting?!) if we are listening we can learn much from this time. 3 verses I am reciting often in my mind these fays are:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:20b)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Praying for all those on the front lines and those sick the virus.

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What I'm Learning From a Virus

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What I'm Learning From a Virus

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