If anyone had told me we would ever experience the disruption to daily life or the stress of being without certain commodities we have come to take for granted in America, I would never have believed it. Yet here we are. COVID-19, or novel coronavirus, has been declared a world pandemic by the WHO. What started as an outbreak in China has quickly spread around the world and invaded our shores -- an unwelcome enemy threatening not only our physical and mental health, but our economy as well. Schools, churches, and businesses have shut down as people have been urged to self-quarantine to protect themselves and help slow down the spread of this potentially deadly virus.
The entire country of Italy is on lock down, with Europe currently the epicenter of the virus. In the U.S., major sports leagues and franchises have canceled sporting events, including the NCAA tournament. Colleges have extended their spring breaks and advised their students that courses will now be completed online. Disney, Universal, and other studio theme parks have closed. Broadway has turned off its lights and canceled performances. Store shelves are bare and small businesses everywhere are feeling the trickle down effect of lost revenue as a result. The news gets worse by the hour as the number of deaths and confirmed cases of infection continues to grow.
The seriousness of all this caught up with me when I received word that our church would be shutting down for two weeks and that all worship services and activities would be canceled, an unprecedented but prudent and precautionary move designed at keeping our congregation healthy and doing our part to slow down the spread of the virus in our community. As I prepared the press releases and social media posts I felt nearly overwhelmed by the stress that has become familiar to so many.
Turning off a news cast, I looked outside at the birds eating happily at my feeder and it occurred to me that they know something which many of us have forgotten -- God is in control and we have no need to fear. Jesus said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Matthew 10: 29-31, NIV).
For the birds outside my window nothing has changed. God is still God. The sun still rises. No matter the storms they must weather, they still sing the praises of the One who cherishes and cares for them.
If you feel stressed and anxious because of this pandemic, just remember that you, my beloved, are worth more than many sparrows!
Copyright © 2020 by Dee Dee Wike. All rights reserved. www.deedeewike.com
