For we walk by faith and not by sight…
2 Corinthians 5:7
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.
I John 5:4
Crisis always reveals what you actually believe. Say what you want during times of convenience and ease, it will always be the crisis that will unveil your true belief system. In this particular crisis (CORVID-19) we are confronted with the collision of two unseen forces. One is a lethal virus that has the potential to be spread exponentially faster than anything we have previously faced as a nation. The other is the Lord, Who declares His power is unrivaled. The virus works through fear. The Lord works through faith. The question to me (and to all of us) is, “Which one shall I walk by?”
I will be the first to stipulate that a few people have twisted and convoluted faith. They have used it as their gimmick to promote a Gospel of self-actualization and greed. That said, a false presentation of faith does not repudiate a true principle. I remember years ago a minister stating it this way concerning biblical precept, “Abuse or misuse does not equal disuse.” Such could be said of faith and in the midst of a pandemic I need to be reminded of such things.
I have been reminded recently that the Greek word “faith” (PISTIS) has a wide and varied use in the New Testament. It certainly means things like, “to believe, to trust, confidence, conviction, reliance, or dependence”. These things are true. However, the word from the ancient Middle East also means, “ allegiance” or “loyalty”. It’s a word packed with implications.
This Pandemic Post isn’t intended to be a theology class (although since I admitted in post #1 that I was simply sharing my personal thoughts it shouldn’t surprise you) but rather a self-reminder that my journey with the Lord looks entirely different than the rest of the world. I walk by faith (and all the implications of its meaning) and not by sight. I do not let my senses dictate how I navigate this time, but rather I reaffirm my trust, my confidence, my conviction, and my allegiance in Christ alone. In doing this, I am reminded that my faith will lead me to a victory which overcomes the world. I didn’t say that, the Bible clearly states that.
However, crisis challenges that kind of journey. I am constantly being pulled back to fear, anxiety, and panic. I don’t want to be double-minded, but the cable news reports, Twitter feed, and Facebook threads are constantly soliciting my faith walk to yield to fear. As an American Christian, we don’t get much practice in applying our faith in genuine crisis, so like many, I find myself in a steep (re)learning curve. Interesting isn’t it? Some people are spending their time on a learning curve concerning a disease, when perhaps this time would be better spent on our learning curve with regards to faith. The challenge is receiving important information through the filter of faith…not fear.
I am sensitizing myself to not play games with my vocabulary. Yes, the Bible speaks of prudence, but is what I am about to do truly “prudent” or have I twisted the definition to hide my fear? Yes, we are to “love our neighbor”, but is isolation an act of love or have I simply found another way to accommodate fear? My mind is swirling with these thoughts. I am not talking to you my dear reader. I am asking important questions of myself. What does biblical love and faith look like in the light of historical Christianity and the present pandemic which I have obviously been born into. I too, have cancelled trips and meetings. I have restricted my travel and interactions like the rest of America. I believe I am doing the right thing, but I am still honest enough to wrestle with the questions. What message and testimony do I carry forward? Is this time period meant to hinder the Church or is it the atmosphere where the real belief system of the Church is revealed? Nobody wants to be stupid or reckless in this dangerous time period…but…
How do we walk by faith and not by sight?
Because my answer to that question will ultimately lead me to victory or defeat.
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