We live in a terrifying world. Or so I thought. This was before the pandemic started. I was beginning to think we lived in a place that had lost its way. Knowing what God’s plan was in this world was hard to vision.

Know God’s Plan

It felt like the world was spiralling out of control. People were fighting against each other. The newspapers were always reporting on someone being shot or stabbed. The worse thing was that it was often young people doing the killing, or being killed. I just kept thinking it was such a waste of life, on both sides.

People took things for granted. Me included. We have a free health service in our country, which is open to anyone who resides here. Not many other countries have this option in their system. We have access to the best medicine and healthcare in the world. Free of charge.

We also take for granted we can buy groceries. Every village in this country will probably have some form of shop that sells food. There is probably a supermarket in every major town. We have access to some of the best food. And what about the takeaways and restaurants we have? The possibilities are endless.

Four months ago, I bet you didn’t expect to not see your friends either? How easily we could see each other and hug one another. Now we just wave from a distance, if we are lucky. Some people are isolated and have no contact with anyone at all.

What is God’s plan?

It was not God’s plan to infect us with the virus. I believe He knew this was going to happen though.

“You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.” Psalm 139:2-4

I do feel God has a plan to use what is happening to bring us all closer together. It’s already happening. People are starting to come together to help each other. Those that were once forgotten are being remembered again. The people who were once isolated from society are now at the forefront of people’s minds. We want to care more for those who are vulnerable.

What does God help us see?

We are now realising how grateful we should be to be able to get a bag of pasta, or even toilet paper! Every day luxuries have been taken away. The fish and chip supper on a Friday night. Take away pizza in front of the television with the family. A celebration of a birthday at your favourite place to eat. All things we took for granted.

Most of all, we are reminded how fragile life is. The message that is drummed out every where we go: Stay home. Stay safe. Save lives. We realise in a time like this how precious our NHS is and how much we need it. We learn to value our lives and that of others around us.

God is working through all this, despite what some people may think. There is evidence all around us. God is working in the person who decides to love their neighbour as themselves.

He’s in the person who is deciding to stay at home although it causes a great inconvenience to them. But this is how they know to help save lives. Staying home is a small price to pay.

God is in every front line worker who continually puts themselves at risk. Every doctor, nurse and health care worker. Even the person behind the checkout in the supermarket. They are all working so we can live.

Something to think about…

In the moments where you feel the weight of not knowing how God is working through all this, take a moment to have a look at what is around you. Have a look in your home and be thankful for the food you have in your cupboard. Thank Him for the opportunities we have to connect with others through social media. Most of all, thank God for working through those who are working to save our lives.

Prayer

Thank you God for the reminder we are not in control of situations around us. You not only know what is happening in our lives, but You have a plan for it too. Thank you for the reminder we need be grateful for all things – for our food and for simple necessities like toilet paper. Thank You Lord for the reminder of how precious and fragile life is. Help us to take the time to protect it. Amen.