Beloved Church family,
We find ourselves in strange times don’t we? A month ago most of us had never heard the word
‘Coronavirus’ before. Today we hear it every couple of minutes. Last week we had full offices, full
schedules, and full shelves. Today we have empty classrooms, empty toilet paper aisles, and empty
March Madness brackets. Yesterday we had old expectations. Today we have new announcements, new
concerns, and new closures every minute. These are strange times.
Today we face a level of fear and pandemonium that has not been seen in our country for quite some
time. There is concern over food, resources, and contracting an unknown virus. People are hoarding,
hiding, and hating one another. The stock market is rocky, the world is shutting down, and we are
quarantined to our homes. Indeed these are strange times.
The question now is: what do we do? What should we as Christians do in such a time as this? Should we
be worried? Should we be drastic? Should we hide? What do we do? The good news is, our Lord speaks!
In Luke 12 Jesus speaks hope to an anxious people. He’s preparing His disciples to live faithfully in a
fearful, selfish, and panicked time. He begins in v.1-7 by telling us not to fear man, but to rather fear the
all-powerful, all-knowing God. In v.8-12 He tells us not to fear what we say before others; rather we are
to trust in the Holy Spirit and acknowledge Jesus before man. In v.13-31 He tells us not to fear losing
our inheritances, our food, or our clothes; rather we are to trust the faithful Father who knows our needs
and provides for them. In v.32-48 he tells us not to fear the end; rather we are to live faithfully in light of
the Kingdom-giving Father.
What’s the point? Don’t be afraid little flock; trust in the Lord.
This text is such a pillar for me. I have struggled with anxiety all my life, and today is no different. We
are living in strange and concerning times. In fact God promises we will face such times (Matt. 24:6-8).
But we as Christians do not need to give into fear. Instead, like Paul, we can boast in our weaknesses
admitting them before the Lord, and then wait for Him to show His sufficient grace and Power through
them (2 Cor. 12:9)!
So what does this look like for us as Garner E. Free Church moving forward? Haddon gave us some great
ways last Sunday!
First, he mentioned that we must not fear like Luke 12 says. We have a hope that extends far beyond a
grocery store with fully stocked shelves! We have Jesus! So I’d just practically encourage all of us to do
as 1 Peter 5:6-11 says and not try to hide our fears but rather admit them before God and our neighbors,
and then cast them upon the Lord fully trusting that He cares for us and is in complete control. Many of
our neighbors are afraid right now. But what an opportunity we have as the Church to acknowledge a
peaceful, sovereign, good, and forgiving Lord before them!
Second, Haddon mentioned that we must love one another. This includes all kinds of things in this
opportune time like sharing Christ with our neighbors, spending time with our kids, not hoarding
resources, and using cautionary and proper hygiene.
As a local church we as elders decided last night that in submission to our governing authorities and in
love for one another we are going to postpone and/or move most if not all of our church ministries online
for the time being. This includes all Sunday school, Sunday morning, children’s, and youth activities. We
would also encourage all of the small groups and Bible study groups to consider moving online in order
to protect others and prevent the possible spread of the virus. We are looking into several good online
platforms to use for such things so stay tuned.
Even in such strange times our divine command of equipping and making disciples has not changed
(Matt. 28:18-20) so we as leaders and church staff will be spending the next few weeks figuring out how
each ministry will look. We graciously ask that you would bear with us in this process as we will most
certainly have to go through a few bumps and flat tires on our digital journey together. We are thankful
that God has placed us in an age of technology where we can do ministry digitally, and we look forward
to what He has for us moving forward!
Third, Haddon mentioned that we must pray. Our Lord is absolutely in control of all this and will use
every bit of it for His glory and the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28)! We are guaranteed that.
The amazing thing is that He still asks us to pray. Why? I think it’s because God delights in the prayers
of His people, and He enjoys using them as a means of grace.
So I’d encourage us all to pray. Let us pray for those who have been infected. Let us pray for the end of
the virus. Let us pray that the Gospel will go out. Let us pray for families at home to glorify God as they
spend so much time together. Let us pray for the peace that surpasses all understanding to flood the
world. Let us pray for wisdom for the doctors and leaders that have to make difficult decisions. Let us
pray with thanksgiving for what God has given us, and the provisions He makes for our needs. Our God
is good!
We live in strange times. Things are uncertain from our perspective. We don’t know what will happen
tomorrow. We don’t know how things will look moving forward. We don’t know what kind of
consequences this may bring. But one thing is for sure. Jesus Christ is seated on His throne, and He is
coming back to make all things new! There is a day coming when there will be no more viruses or empty
shelves or sin. Rather we will be physically with the Lord in perfection and glory! What a future!
So Church as we go through this divinely orchestrated time together know that we as elders love you and
the Lord loves you most! We as pastors and leaders will be doing all that we can to equip you for the
work of ministry in the days ahead, and we have been and will continue pray for you. It may be strange
times, but these are times to be glorifying and praising our great God by trusting Him with whatever He
brings!
May the Lord be your peace and strength in this time!
Pastor Nathan