Is there grace in the timing of the coronavirus pandemic?

Is anyone else struck by the eerie timing of this coronavirus pandemic?

A month or two before this virus began spreading in Wuhan, the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security hosted Event 201 (which was largely funded by Bill Gates' and Geroge Soros' foundations). This event was a pandemic simulation in which a "heavyweight group of policymakers, business leaders, and health officials" gathered together to discuss strategies to address such a crisis and to assess each country's preparedness. The virus selected for this simulation was coronavirus.

"Event 201, dropped participants right in the midst of an uncontrolled coronavirus outbreak that was spreading like wildfire out of South America to wreak worldwide havoc. As fictional newscasters from "GNN" narrated, the immune-resistant virus (nicknamed CAPS) was crippling trade and travel, sending the global economy into freefall. Social media was rampant with rumors and misinformation, governments were collapsing, and citizens were revolting."   Source: https://hub.jhu.edu/2019/11/06/event-201-health-security.

To see the highlight reel from this event, watch this video:

This simulation experiment and those before it highlighted gaps in our current systems and should have developed an action plan. If this project helped improve our response plan, perhaps the timing was grace. If the project only highlighted our powerlessness against such an attack, perhaps it is also grace in that it humbles us and shows us the vanity of putting all our trust in human plans and inventions.

This pandemic also occurred in the middle of a huge election year, disrupting presidential campaigns, debates, and rallies. While many surely see the mere reduction in divisive political campaign activity as a blessing, the timing is also a reminder that we must not depend upon politicians to save us. This pandemic struck America at her zenith. Unemployment rates for all demographics were at record lows, while GDP, salaries, and the stock market were at record highs. Our healthcare system, particularly for veterans who had been abused for far too long by a corrupt system, was thriving again as Obamacare's shackles on it were lifted, and our military was strong again. Religious liberties and the traditional family, which are foundations of a healthy society, are being upheld and protected. Our borders are stronger. Our infrastructure was growing like crazy. We are energy independent. We were soaring higher than ever a few weeks ago, and now much of that has been decimated and will take many years to restore after this pandemic has passed.

Is it grace that we were so well positioned to tackle this pandemic? I think so. Imagine if our economy, borders, and healthcare systems were still floundering as they did under Bush and Obama. 

Or is the greater grace in the fact that we are being forced to acknowledge the insufficiency of man. It is vanity to place our trust in anything besides God. Military might, stock portfolios, government leaders, economic prosperity, high paying jobs, healthcare capacity, and our own individual strength, health, and vitality can all fail us in an instant. While we were commanded by God to be wise stewards over the earth and to serve and protect our fellow man and must therefore do all we can to help the sick and strengthen our economy, ultimately, the outcome is in God's hands. As Solomon said repeatedly throughout Ecclesiastes, it is vanity to trust in any of these. (See especially Ecclesiastes 12)

Jeremiah 17 also gives this warning: 

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. 6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives."

But God...

He is our strong tower forever. (Proverbs 18:10) 

The Lord is my strength and my song...and salvation (Exodus 15:2)

He is our healer. (Exodus 15:26)

He alone is omnipotent forever. (Romans 1:20)

He will never leave or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)

He is unchanging, the same yesterday, today, and forever! (Hebrews 13:8)

His plans for us are good. He gives us hope and a certain future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

He is faithful and true. (Revelation 3:14, Revelation 19:11)

His steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 136, 1 Chronicles 16:34)


In Him alone must we trust!

"7 But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

A Blossoming Pear Tree Metaphor

While walking my dog today, I came across this flowering pear tree and was struck by how much it reminds me of this current coronavirus / shutdown situation. Before all the shutdowns, our schedule was filled with exciting plans, but it was also too busy, and I longed for few days off from the grind. A slower pace with my family seemed like the most beautiful gift I could possibly receive at that time. Similarly, the beautiful blossoms on this tree are a lovely gift, bursting forth while our grass is still brown and other deciduous trees remain bare.

However, as I approached this tree's shade, I inhaled it's unpleasant aroma. As we are now walking in the shadow of this shutdown, some of us have discovered that what seemed a beautiful gift at first now smells awful. It stinks because of the why (people are getting sick and dying from a rapidly spreading virus), the when ("indefinitely" = uncomfortable uncertainty which could translate into far longer than we think we can bear), and the how (we are being forced to stay home; it is not our free choice). 

Then when you listen to experts and consider the long term consequences of this tree, you realize that despite it's beauty, it can become a menace to people and the environment. Bradford pear trees have weak branch structures and tend to fall apart. Chinese Callery pear trees have thick thorns which can choke out native trees like kudzu tends to do.

If this shutdown is combined with extremely effective & efficient efforts to reduce the spread of the virus while increasing treatment capabilities (the malaria drug I mentioned previously, vaccines, more hospital beds, staff, and equipment capacity, etc.) QUICKLY, then we can fully celebrate the beauty of the blossoms (saved lives, fewer people infected, slower pace, family time, etc.). However, if this shutdown is too extreme or prolonged for too long, the consequences could be dire.

This shutdown carries with it extremely sharp thorns that could choke the economy and the American spirit for quite some time. The government may seem to have a lot of power to control us, but it provides a very weak branch structure to sustain us. The deficit is already so enormous, the federal government can't really afford any type of stimulus as it is, but a few $1000 checks will not sustain anyone who becomes unemployed as a result of this crisis (I've heard that 20% or more could lose their jobs), nor can it bail out the countless small businesses which will be devastated as a result. The government cannot heal those who will enter deep depressions, restore marriages, or rescue those who will turn to drugs and alcohol for escape. The government doesn't have the resources or the capability to restore what this shutdown could cost us if becomes too restrictive or lasts too long.

A gardeners and/or arborist can tend this tree and work to minimize the negative risks it carries, but ultimately, this tree and all those around it rely on God for light, nourishment, and protection. Similarly, we must do our part to protect the weak and vulnerable, provide and love on those in need, pray for the scientists, healthcare workers, and government representatives working and making decisions to help alleviate this crisis while searching for the proper balance to maintain physical, mental, relational, and economic health, but we ultimately must rely on God, whose wisdom, resources and power are limitless, to provide, nurture, and protect us all.

10 For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the hills,
and all that moves in the field is mine.
12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and its fullness are mine. (Psalm 50:10-12)

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.... You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
And praise the name of the Lord your God...
Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel:
I am the Lord your God
And there is no other.
My people shall never be put to shame." (Joel 2:25-27)

Examining and Healing the Soul as the Corona Virus Invades the World

During this time of social distancing, isolation/quarantine, tremendous disappointment, frustrating cancellations, shattered dreams, ruined plans, fear/concern, and uncertainty, most of us should be finding more time for stillness, reflection, and introspection. The trials and inconveniences brought about by COVID-19 and the proactive responses to reduce the spread and to protect the most vulnerable and those serving the sick and needy have the benefit of exposing the true substance of our hearts and minds. For those who want to join me in using this time to examine our own hearts, confess, repent, receive cleansing, and be refined, I have provided a few questions and scripture references to ponder below.

By Original: https://www.scientificanimations.comDerivative: علاء - Derivative from File:3D medical animation corona virus.jpg, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86368808

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way." (Psalm 139: 23-24)

Are we resting in God's promises and the full assurance that comes through faith in Christ and total dependence upon His sovereignty, omnipotence, wisdom, and love, or is the uncertainty causing us to panic? (Isaiah 41:10)

Are we hoarding excessively out of self-interest or are we seeking ways to love and serve others? (Philippians 2:4)

Are we anxious because we are so entitled and spoiled by what we have that we don't know how (or aren't willing) to improvise?

After working, training, and/or planning for years or even a lifetime to pursue a goal that can no longer be attained due to cancellations, do we still trust that God is good and that "the mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."(Proverbs 16:9)

Are we allowing the inconveniences, disappointments, and losses to refine us, reorder our priorities, and redirect our attention off of ourselves onto others, or are we allowing them to defeat us and rob us of joy?

Are we willing to sacrifice and be inconvenienced for the sake of those at risk in this situation while still refusing to be inconvenienced or to stand for the most innocent and vulnerable human lives who still reside within their mother's womb? (Psalm 127:3)

Are we fearful and anxious or are we resting in Him? Are we complaining or praying? (Philippians 4:6)

Are we considering it all joy when we encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces endurance which makes us perfect and complete, lacking nothing? (James 1:2-4)

Are we greatly rejoicing in our various trials so that the proof of our faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ? (1 Peter 1:3-7)

Are we allowing the trials to refine us as silver is refined, and to test us as gold is tested, that we may call on His name, and that He may say, "They are My people", and that may say, "The LORD is our God." (Zechariah 13:9)

Are we judging others' actions with our finite knowledge (only God knows their circumstances, health conditions, financial situations, risks, family details, etc.) instead of judging ourselves rightly? (Matthew 7:1-3)