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)
