Hope in God // April 2020
Our life continues as somewhat normal. Except of course Jonas’ makeshift home office complete with a green umbrella propped up against a stationary bike in our bedroom. Except meeting with people only virtually. Except for Paige only going out of the house for occasional walks. But we have gotten used to the new normal in the time of the COVID-19 crisis.
One thing the virus has done to our church is a surge in prayer. There are now a handful daily Skype prayer meetings, which are very well “attended”. Other meetings such as the church service and home groups have shifted to live stream or Skype. Those meetings work surprisingly well, and we are thankful for the technology. But on the other hand, we realize that no virtual interaction can substitute for the person to person interaction in church. More than anything it has created in us a longing to be with the church again in person to worship God.
The coronavirus has changed the decision timeline with the church in Münster. The scheduled meeting for April 5th was postponed to whenever Germany reopens slowly to regular life again (the earliest being April 19th). The process to reach a conclusion will also be delayed since the church is not able to gather for members meetings. Lord willing, we will reach a decision in May. Please pray that God would further guide the process.
Paige is feeling very week, due to the pregnancy. Please pray for physical strength and that she would find strength in Christ during these hard times.
So we wait. We wait for Germany to reopen. We wait for a decision about our future. We wait for the baby to come in July. But in all of this we know that God is always in control. That is our great hope. Let that be an encouragement to you too, wherever you are right now.
Maybe this crisis has hit you hard in a number of ways. Maybe it has stirred some deep questions about the goodness and love of God. If that is you, then read on. You will find a short reflection from Jonas about how the life, death and resurrection of Jesus can give you new courage and strength to find rest in God.
In a time of great uncertainty, the certainty of the gospel of Jesus Christ shines brighter than ever. Yes, we don´t know what tomorrow will be, or how our bodies will react to the Corona virus if we contract it, but Jesus´ life, death and resurrection is a certain reality. Jesus is like a rock in a churning sea, immovable and not effected by the constant onslaught of news. He is in control of everything, and even this virus will go no further than God decrees it.
He has promised to be near to all those who call on him in this time of uncertainty. Everyone who repents of their sins and trusts in him is safe in the arms of the great God. But God´s children still suffer. They suffer from all kinds of things. Foremost is the suffering of our brothers and sisters all over the world, who are persecuted and sometimes murdered for their bold allegiance to Jesus Christ. His children also suffer from sickness, bereavement and death. Yes, also from the coronavirus and its many implications. And with suffering comes this mystery that we Christians don´t fully comprehend here on earth. Why does God let those things happen to the very people he was willing to die for? Why the heartache and suffering?
Dear Christian, find comfort in the truth that Jesus died for you. When your mind starts spinning, when these kinds of questions are not abstract theological debates but emerge in you as heart-wrenching existential doubts, then cling to the cross. We know “that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purposes.” (Romans 8:28). But what makes you believe this truth, when everything around you points to the opposite. When your mind stumbles to understand how your circumstances can possibly be for your good, it is only the cross that will make you continue to believe the truth in Romans 8. Let me explain why.
On the cross God the Father gave the dearest he had, when he sent his son (John 3:16). But Jesus was not forced to do so against his will (John 10:18). He willingly laid down his own life for us. Jesus gave the dearest he had for us, the intimate relationship with his Father. It is almost inconceivable, that God the Father would send his only begotten Son to die for us. It is almost inconceivable, that Jesus would be willing to endure the separation with his Father. It is inconceivable, but gloriously true.
I asked before: “Why does God let those things happen to the very people he was willing to die for?” This is a valid question to grapple with. But have you noticed, how the question contains also a substantial part towards an answer? If Jesus died for you, then there cannot be any serious shred of doubt that God does not love you. You might feel differently, your circumstances might point in another way, but the cross proves to you, dear Christian, that your nagging feeling of God´s indifference is most unfounded indeed. If then God really loves you, which he has proven through Jesus´ life, death and resurrection, then there must be another explanation for why bad things happen to you. I’m not going to explore those explanations here. Instead, I want to encourage you to dwell on the cross more than going on a hunt for a possible explanation.
Let this truth sink deeply into your heart and trust in Jesus Christ, who loves you. Let the crisis in your life be a catalyst for drawing close to Jesus. In the confusion of your circumstance flee to the One, who seeks your good and loves you deeply. There, at the heart of Jesus, you might find some answers as to why. But even if you don’t, you can fully trust, that He knows the explanations. Let that quiet your troubled heart. Rest in his unchanging love for you that he proved on the cross.
