Covid-19 and the myth of ‘my world’.

Covid-19 and the myth of ‘my world’.

A world of our own?

A trend of our times is the self-constructed world. We want to decide what is real, true and right for ourselves. Some want to decide their own gender, independent of biology. We resist others telling us what to do, map out our future vision and make plans for its execution. In short, we like to build a world for ourselves and then build a wall around it to keep others at bay.

And then things come along to rattle our DIY world. Climate and weather events send droughts, fires, storms and floods in unusual patterns and disrupt lives and livelihoods in varying ways. The rapid global spread of Covid-19 impacts through deaths, economic turmoil and growing fear. Even if these miss us personally, there is always the potential of an apparently random event in which being in the wrong place at the wrong time sends life topsy turvey.

Such events shatter the myth that we are in control and that life is certain.

What do we do when life goes topsy turvey

Common responses are to rage against events and lash out at anyone who we can find to blame. (Who would want to be a political or organisational leader at such a time?) Or we surrender to despair and passivity, concluding that the world is in the hands of the bad or the mad – if it is in anyone’s hands at all. Or perhaps we opt for a Stoic response of not trying to make sense of it all, shrug our shoulders and soldier on anyway.

Lessons from and for the times

1. We are not in charge of our destiny and the sooner we accept this the better.

2. Learn to live with contingency.

It is wise to know and engage with what is in our power and leave what is not in our power alone.

And so, we ask, what can I do to prevent contact and contract with the virus or any other threat? What prudent precautions can I take in anticipation of contact or contract such as laying in medications, basic foods etc and having a family plan in place.

It is also wise to have proportionality in perspective. All things are possible, but what is the probability of contact or contract with the virus and what are the likely outcomes of either? If we engage with the worst possible outcome, then we are equipped to deal with anything else.

The hardest lesson – humility before God

Our liking for a self-constructed world is shattered when events beyond our control break in. Our ego is undermined. We do not welcome the news that we are not god.

For unbelievers, the challenge and opportunity is to align themselves to God through faith in Jesus. That connects people to the heart of the universe and is our best path to flourishing amidst uncertainty. Knowing that he is God and bowing before him is the hardest of all human lessons. It is also the wisest.

For believers, the news that God is God and is in control is most welcome. The universe and our personal world are not in the hands of the mad nor the bad and is not a driverless train. What we see is not the sum total of reality.  Rather, our all-knowing, all-wise, all-powerful and always present God is watching and working for the good of his people. The way he worked redemptively through the dreadful death of Jesus is proof positive of his unseen and good hand behind the appearance of chaos.

For believers, our alignment to God in Christ enables calmness. We know that chaos and contingency have real and painful impacts which we too may suffer. However, we also know his unseen hand that works all things for the good of his people and works towards his plan of reconciling all things in Christ. That enables us to live with serenity, take active responsibility where we can and to give of ourselves to the needs of others with generosity.

Historically, Christian believers have responded to the world’s chaos by stepping forward and leaning in. Followers of Jesus have stepped into situations of threat such as war, natural disasters, pestilence and plague, embracing risks in order to serve. Love of God and of neighbour take us there.s

A timely word

Let James have a timely word to us all:

Come now you who say “Today or tomorrow let’s go into the city, and spend a year there, trade and make a profit. Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this and that”. (James 4:13-15)