Life on the Pasture

One question that I’ve been mulling over for the past several weeks is: Decades from now, how will history books describe the COVID-19 pandemic? Will they praise the worldwide effort to stop the spread of this particular coronavirus? Will they ridicule officials for politicizing the crisis and chastise some companies for their greed in trying to capitalize on a difficult situation? How will they analyze the economic and emotional damage? Will they critique the use of models to project the virus’s effects and the success of stay at home measures? Of course, it takes time for all those questions to be thoroughly answered, and hindsight is 20-20 as the proverbial saying goes. Right now, we are where we are, trying to do our best at this time in history.

For me, one of the blessings in the midst of the challenges of this time is the opportunity to worship online with my brother Richard’s  congregation in Chula Vista, California. In this past Sunday’s sermon, he referred to the story of Esther and the words spoken to her by Mordecai: “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14b) The application was made for us as followers of Jesus during this time of COVID-19 that we are here for such a time as this.

Does that mean that all of us will be recognized as heroes who have done great things to get the world through this time in history? No, most people will not give a second thought to the teacher trying to provide an excellent online education to her students while also caring for her own young one at home. Most won’t notice the person isolated in his apartment who is fervently praying for family and friends, as well as many he does not know personally including medical workers, scientists, politicians, and all affected by the pandemic. Most will miss the selfless actions of the teenager who is doing what she can to help her family as her parents have had their hours cut at work. Most will never hear the encouraging phone calls made by the person who is ‘just checking up” on friends.

But our Lord knows. What is more, He is taking great delight in watching His people follow Him and reflect His love in such a time as this. As Jesus says, “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:4b)

Most of us will probably never make the history books, but our Lord has written us into His story to fulfill the role He has given us for such a time as this.

– Pastor Schmidt