If you heard that the NCAA cancelled March Madness…guess again! March Madness is everywhere and exponentially magnified. People aren’t spray painting their hair and faces blue and white to cheer for Duke; they’re going crazy with anxiety. People are shutting down schools, colleges, sports, businesses, flights, and events all across our land. Even churches and non-profits are locking their doors. What happened?
That’s the question we’re supposed to ask when people have experienced trauma. But what if you can’t turn off your anxious brain? Instead of God being our reference point, China is! Instead of turning to the Lord and experiencing His rest and peace, we’re emptying the shelves at the local stores as if Y2K the 2nd is about to hit. How tragic it is when people start looking at you funny and keeping their distance from you. Without saying a word, you begin to feel like a leper. I wonder if you have it?
I recall Jesus’ way of facing trials like being rejected, abandoned, betrayed, abused, and crucified. He went to the home of Simon the leper and gathered His friends to help prepare them for hard times. They met in a home and broke bread together. He washed their feet. He got closer instead of distancing Himself from those He loved.
Jesus informed His followers that better times were coming after He departed because the Father would be sending them the Comforter to guide them into all truth, to remind them of Jesus’ teaching, and to empower them to be Christ’s witnesses. To top it all off, Jesus died and rose again, washed all of our sins away, and conquered death. He’s seated at the right hand of the Father interceding right now for His will to be done here on earth as it is in heaven.
If you’re being tempted to cave to culture and let your anxiety make your decisions to hide in fear, let not your heart be troubled. Do not be afraid. God is with you—the Friend who sticks closer than a brother. God is on the throne, and He’s in control. He offers His peace that surpasses all understanding. He’ll keep your eyes, mind, and heart stayed on Jesus.
If you feed your fears the news of the day, you’ll go crazy with anxiety. You’ll get mad or go mad. If you feed your faith, God will inspire you to seize the day and offer your life and gifts to a world that is marked by madness. If you get closer to people who are living in fear, they might get scared. Yesterday a friend freaked out when I touched him. Five minutes later other friends thanked me for stopping to hug them and pray with them as I laid a hand on their shoulders. Instead of hiding, just show up full of God’s love and be you.
God is giving us a great opportunity to go deeper into Him and to offer our homes and lives to those who are hurting and afraid. If your church is closed, or if you need a safe place to experience God and community tomorrow, our home (1114 Broad Street) is open from 10-noon. Bring someone or something with you. A family member or friend who needs some encouragement. A song that’s touched your heart. A story of God at work. A blog or message you read that inspired you. A prayer request or someone who needs Jesus and a family who cares. Or just come as you are. It’s okay to not be okay, but we won’t leave you there. Childcare, teencare, and adultcare will be available because Jesus cares for us all. Your first reflex may be to stay away. Strengthen your second reflex and come join us.
Out of our blindness, we have spoken death over our elders. It was hidden, but its effects now clearly seen. The structure of family has been compromised, leaving weakness where they was once strength, and fear where there was once faith. A people of rebellion will be shaken and revealed through what remains.
Is it not our duty to protect the most vulnerable among us from harm? “Love always protects” as 1 Corinthians states. It is not speaking death over them, and I am not worried about myself. The nature of this disease demands I take precautions for their sake and well-being. Believe me, I trust the Lord in all things, and He has entrusted me with serving people. I have to do all I can, however small it may be. I can do no other.