Opportunity for a Reset

I recently read a news article by Reuters of a survey conducted during the Coronavirus in China.  It was an on-line survey between January 23 and March 13.  The most interesting part of it was how their pain and the trauma of a lock down changed their attitudes.  Pain in our life is a golden opportunity to take a hard look at ourselves and hit a reset button in areas that have somehow become out of alignment. 

The main findings looked like this:

* People placed much more emphasis on etiquette

* Individualistic behavior was unacceptable

* There was more desire for order and structure

* There was greater appreciation for those who contribute

Some of the biggest changes were around trust. The survey showed confidence in education rose from 71% to 82% before and after Feb. 5. Trust in civil servants rose from 42% to 54% and in Chinese companies from 55% to 70%.  Martijn Lampert, research director of Glocalities said “(The survey) reveals that the hardship and tragedy of lives lost during the COVID-19 pandemic cause a situation of fundamental reset for populations all over the world.”

About 6 months ago I was surprised to discover I needed heart bypass surgery.  You may think it strange, but that discovery didn’t rattle my cage at all.  Connie and I had already made the decision to retire after the first part of the next year.  Therefore, I interpreted this painful experience as God’s way of helping me hit reset and jump start a new way to live out the rest of my life.  It resulted in me experiencing far more peace and gratitude than frustration. 

Social distancing that our government has told us to practice (it worked for China and Korea), has meant a lot of inconvenience with many temporarily losing their jobs.  The good side is it has also forced families to slow down long enough to rebuild stressed minds, emotions and relationships.  It has forced churches to temporarily find new ways to worship, pray and otherwise interact with others.  The good side is it has also allowed many believers to see just how addicted they are on their church leadership to do the vital Bible study and ministry for them while they stop in on Sunday morning like they stop in at a gas station for a refill.  This rapid pace has robbed us of the blessings of family life and the joy of personally hearing the Spirit’s whispers and empowerment for ministry.    

I honestly believe the Holy Spirit has allowed this vicious virus to make us slow us down and lie down in green pastures as the Psalmist said our good Shepherd would do.  When believers are provided time to get their wits about them, they can step up to the plate and function more like the early believers did.  When that change happens, not only will there be far greater spiritual fruit produced by the church, but even more importantly there will be greater joy in each person as well as the body of Christ.  The fact of spiritual life is, as individuals come to embrace the personal ministry outside the church that God purposed for them (Ephesians 4:12, 2:10), those individuals will receive more of Christ’s joy filling their bucket to being full and running over (John 15:9-11).     

Tragically, the Hebrews Isaiah prophesied to were given many different painful, even disastrous, wake up calls.  God repeatedly sent Isaiah to call them to do a personal reset in their lives, but they refused and that door of opportunity for a better life passed them each time.  It is my sincere prayer that people experiencing this trauma will open their eyes enough to hit the reset button in their personal life, family life and spiritual life.   How have you been responding to this pain?

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