A Perspective to Consider

First I want to say that I realize you and I will probably disagree on some of this, and that’s ok, but I want to share my thoughts as it relates to the Coronavirus pandemic.  This is not all inclusive and it represents one trail of thought.  I am no expert and I speak on this largely from a spiritual perspective.  If you are not a spiritual person, this may seem heady and naive and I get it, so proceed with an open mind.  Thank you.

I do believe the nature of Covid-19 is multi-causal.  There are certain things about this that may not be in contradiction, but rather we can say it is 'yes and yes' in some instances.  A scientist will give a biological answer for the nature and evolution of a virus, a pastor may give give insight through another lens and still a person looking at it purely from a political standpoint may see an entirely different motive.  I think that we should consider all of the perspectives to help us see a larger picture while realizing also our individual limitations in order to maintain humility.  We are all in this together.  Unity and kindness toward others should be one of our goals during this crisis.

When all of this hit the fan back in March I started asking the why questions.  Is this God punishing the world for sin?  Is this the devil’s attack on humanity?  Is it just nature doing what nature does?  Something else?  The questions were really strong in the first few weeks for me but as this went on, I became distracted with other things that I momentarily stopped asking.  It didn’t seem to matter to me the why's as much, as the threat was real regardless and my anxiety was high trying to figure out a new way of living with an increasing germaphobic mentality and an invisible virus potentially everywhere!  Masks, hand sanitizer and social distancing, oh my!

Over the last month or so, I have heard on occasion what I believe to be the Holy Spirit echoing something within me.  Don't freak out, I'm not crazy.  Well, maybe a little, but in a good way. Ha!  It's not as spooky as you might think.  God does still talk to people and those who are Christians have the Holy Spirit of God living on the inside of their spirits.  You've probably heard reference to the "still small voice?"  Anyway, these words, “the coronavirus is political in nature,” kept returning to me many times out of know where.  I don’t really even know if I know what that fully means, but it has helped quiet my anxiety and has given me something to pray about.  

There have been some evidence to suggest that the virus has leaked out of a viral lab in China and perhaps was not by accident.  Any motive is speculation at this point, however something inside me is inclined to believe that may be so, at least maybe in part due to all of the dishonesty that is coming to light in the investigations of China and the World Health Organization.  The echoing in my spirit was before I heard that on the news though, so that's what really has me inclined to think I heard from God.  I don’t think we are really seeing the big picture of everything relating to this virus.  If anything has come to light, it's that the news is unreliable.  All of the quarantine restrictions has a lot of us focused on other things but I am feeling the "why’s" starting to stir within me again.  The world may never know exactly what happened, and if they do, not for a long time I suppose.  Things do seem a little sketchy in my opinion as it relates to China being dishonest with the U.S.  Why wouldn't they give the U.S. the valuable info they needed in a timely manner to help us prepare for such a disaster?  Why lie about the numbers?  I do not know now, but there seems to be some ill motives behind all of this unfortunately.  I recently listened to a 25+ year established professor in immunology and pathology out of Ireland the other day.  I thought it was interesting that she said nature could not have naturally created or evolved a virus into the Covid-19 in the duration that it had and that it had to have had help in the process.  Being able to watch her in a video and see her demeanor and expressions helped my skepticism, however I am not so gullible in that I think she has all the answers, it did however provoke my own thoughts and inquisitions.  

I want to be clear about one thing though, I do not think that God created the C19 virus to punish immoral people.  The virus has not been partial to any one particular group of people to suggest anything of that nature.  The immune compromised and elderly are the primary sufferers of this virus.  That doesn’t sound like the loving God that I know He is.  But, it does sound like something the devil would do, IF he could.  But, he can’t right?  

I don't think that Satan can “create” anything.  But, I do believe he does pervert God’s creation.  Sin always affects God’s creation.  People were given the responsibility to care for the earth and people have largely messed it up and disrupted the order of things.  Because more people are spending time indoors now, we are seeing the smog lift from major cities because of less air pollution.  Waters are becoming clearer.  There are less vibrations on the earth. Sin and the disregard to do what God has commanded us as people to do, causes nature to revolt and suffer. The bible says that the whole earth groans because of the weight of sin and the expectation of its deliverance.  (Romans 8:22)  God giving us the command to have dominion over the earth never meant to bulldoze over the tender care that it requires for it to flourish.  We make choices every day as humans that either bring blessings or bring curses upon the earth and upon our individual lives.  Ok rant over about that. 

The bible clearly tells us in a number of places in the word that Satan is an enemy.  He is an enemy of God’s and therefore ours.  I know he’s been stripped of the Power of Death, but I think that just means that he no longer can hold us in bondage to the fear of death because Jesus died to set us free and make a way for us to go to heaven.  The bible says that Satan roams the earth seeking who he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).  It says that he steels, kills and destroys. (John 10:10) He is the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4), the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2), the ruler of this world (John 12:31), and more.  Furthermore, we are warned as believers to resist him (James 4:7), put on the armor of God so we can stand against him (Eph. 6:10-12) and to be watchful because our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion. (1 Peter 5:8-9).  

Trust me, I am not trying to give satan a bunch of credit that he can boast over.  I don’t want to blow him up to be more than he is because he is no match for God or God's people.  If I'm honest I really do not understand why God keeps him on a short leash and allows him to deceive the masses, but He does.  My guess is it has something to do with free will.  For both angels and human beings and I am finite in my understanding of all things spiritual. 

I am just saying, that maybe Satan wasn’t the one who physically whipped up the C19 virus himself, but it is possible that he either had a hand in manipulating nature or deceiving the hearts of a person(s) in some little lab out in China to bring destruction upon many.  Either way, God has allowed it.  Again, probably because of free will.  I do think God is in the process of turning around all things for the good of those who love Him, but we have to do our part as believers and as humans that were meant to care for the earth and all of God's creation.  Yes, God might not NEED us, but He has chosen us.  From the moment that He created Adam, we were born with purpose.  God gave him the important job of tending the garden and that was pre-sin and pre-curse.  He was always meant to work as unto the Lord.  One thing that stood out to me the other day was that Adam had the important job of naming all of the animals.  I don’t think he just named them Sparky, Rover and Lucy either.  They were scientific, well-thought out names, according to a system and classification of species.  Adam was given full use of his mind and was super intelligent.  God never questioned the names Adam gave them.  The bible says, and what he named them, it was so.  (Gen. 2:19)  Sin has dumbed us down and we may think we are smart cookies, but we are nothing compared to what our potential holds for us when we are fully renewed to the sinless state we were meant to be and will be someday again in eternity.  So, I’m just saying here that we don’t have all the answers. 

I think Satan is a real enemy.  I do think it’s worth knowing our enemy and his strategy so that we can properly resist him like the bible says we need to.  The best military considers it an advantage in war to know the strategies of their enemy.  The bible says that Satan deceives the heart of many.  He is the god of all unbelievers and has them under his control.  (There are a lot of unbelievers all around us).  We have to learn how to stand against Satan so that we are not outwitted.  God gives us the tools, but we have to choose.  There is no autopilot here.  

I sometimes think Satan deceives believers in thinking that they themselves are their own worst enemy and maybe to some extent that is true.  But, if we are so self-absorbed, thinking about how we just need to be better versions of ourselves, then he’s got us distracted with self-loathing and self-concern.  "We don’t pose a threat to him if we regard him as none."  

Many of us are frustrated and can't wait to get "back to normal," but what if this is also a wake up call to humanity?  To the church?  One that begs us to evaluate our priorities regarding God, family, boundaries and responsibility.  What the enemy meant for harm God turns around for the good and we are encouraged to learn from all of our experiences in life but we need to ask for the wisdom and God will pour that out for us to see what He has for us during this time of trial.  I pray the truth be revealed, justice be served and our lives experience redemption in every way. 

I think it’s time that the church be equipped for battle.  Not in an imbalanced way either.  It does no good to shout at the devil if we ourselves are not going to take personal responsibility for the lives we have been leading that bring about negative consequences to bear.  We cannot take a passive, whatever happens is God’s will sort of stance either.  I think things happen every day against God’s will.  The bible says, it is God’s will that none should perish.  But, we both know they do.  I put a high price on free will.  Not in an entitlement sort of way.  But, rather in a, I hold my free will status as something to always be honoring God with.  He has chosen to give me this, so that I will freely choose Him and choose to serve Him and His purposes and I do not take that lightly.  It is my duty.  My choices have real consequences.  Either for good or for evil.  God tells us to choose life.  I think He sets before us life and death because also he wants us to really know both and then make the right choice.  How would it be a real choice if we didn’t become acquainted with both?

So, I believe the virus is nature gone rogue and distorted by sin perhaps by the deceit of Satan and the manipulation of evil men.  I believe God sees the bigger picture and cuts through the thickness of this difficult time to offer protection, redemption, and an opportunity for us to have a reckoning of our own journeys in life to become better people giving glory to Him for our salvation.  Evil will not win.  God is bigger than any virus and we should continue to pray for healing in our land and do what we know to do trusting in God and His perfect timing. 

I think Jesus is coming back soon and we need to be ready.  Ready for an increase in spiritual warfare and hearts strong to resist the lies of the enemy.  There are bigger things going on than just my little idiosyncrasies so, I hope you see my good intentions in this blog. 

I just wanted to be open with you about what has been stirring in my heart.  Thank you for listening.  May God bless you, empower you and give you the wisdom you need during this time.