Life has felt like a rollercoaster since the beginning of March. Honestly, I still haven’t fully adjusted to all the changes happening. My emotions have been a mess, and my attitude has been flip-flopping between hopeful and apathetic. The word “disappointment” perfectly describes my life since early March.
With the shock of finding out I wouldn’t be returning to college this semester, I didn’t know how to respond. Of course, I was glad about getting to be home with my family for two extra months of the year. But I knew I’d greatly miss the community I had at college. The only connections I had were through texting and video chatting, which is fine, but it’s not nearly as wonderful as seeing friends in person.
Unfortunately, we’re still riding this crazy rollercoaster of change. Even though businesses and churches are slowly starting to reopen, life may not be “normal” for a while. As different states choose to reopen in different ways and at different times, everything feels very disjointed.
That’s why we as young adults need to hear the truth from our ministry leaders during this time. We can’t change our circumstances, but we can change our perspective. Thankfully, you can help us do that.
There are a few things we would appreciate you telling us:
1. We are united through Christ.
Even though the United States feels quite disunited since each state can implement its own plan to reopen, there is an unchanging unity that Jesus has provided through His death. This unity binds us together during difficult times. Different opinions and actions related to the coronavirus can’t break that bond.
Paul wrote to the Philippians, “If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Philippians 2:1-2, CSB).
2. We are together in spirit.
Believers are part of a single unit—Christ’s body—no matter what. Whether we are worshiping in a church building, outside, or through online streaming, distance can’t disconnect us. Though we may not be together in person, we’re together in spirit.
As Paul eloquently stated, “For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ. So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude” (Colossians 2:5-7).
3. We do not live in chaos.
Yes, it’s incredibly easy to slip into an attitude of hopelessness because chaos is reigning. However, we cannot believe that lie. Chaos is not in control; our heavenly Father is.
God’s Word reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, though its water roars and foams and the mountains quake with its turmoil” (Psalm 46:1-3).
COVID-19 isn’t just a physical disease; it can easily become a spiritual disease. It can steal our joy, our passion, and our peace…if we let it. We simply can’t let it. By reminding other believers that we are united through Christ, we are together in Spirit, and we do not live in chaos, the coronavirus doesn’t stand a chance of defeating us.
Grace McCready is a college student, a blogger, and a writer. She enjoys spending time with her family, chatting with friends, and baking sweet treats. She writes about the Christian life at Tizzie’s Tidbits of Truth.
Photo by Richard Balog on Unsplash
