BE THE STANDARD

Early on in this Covid-19 crisis, when I sensed fear creeping into my thoughts, God blessed me with a verse; Isaiah 59:19, which says, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” Looking at the Covid-19 map every day, it appeared the virus was spreading like a worldwide flood of biblical proportion. I couldn’t help but think this virus was a tool of our enemy Satan. However, after meditating on this verse, God revealed that the enemy’s tool was not the virus, it was fear. While the virus was spreading across the world, it was equally evident that fear was spreading as well.

One of the dangers of fear is that, left unchecked, it has the power to negatively change our perspective. Let me illustrate it this way. Years ago, I read a survey that listed the top ten fears of people. I don’t remember the whole list, but I do remember the number one fear was public speaking and number five was the fear of death. Just think about it for a moment: many people would rather be dead in their own casket than doing the eulogy at someone else’s funeral. What’s wrong with this picture?

Fear is like a virus. And like viruses, fear is contagious. Unlike the days before the internet, fear is much more quickly and easily spread through social media. On the positive side, we are learning that done right, social media and online church services are an effective platform for knowing, growing and showing the love of Jesus Christ. However, we have also seen the negativity that can come from social media.

Let’s not forget that many friends and family members are feeling isolated, alone, and afraid. As Christ followers, our social media accounts can provide evidence that we are people of faith and not fear. Let’s share words of comfort and compassion, not conspiracy and confusion. We are called to impart faith, not fear.

While the world has yet to find the cure for Covid-19, I’m happy to tell you we can find the cure for fear in 1 John 4:18, where it says, “perfect love casts out fear.” Let’s not forget that love is the answer to most, if not all, the world’s problems. While we are quarantined and practicing social distancing, let us use social media to spread the love of Christ. Let’s share words of encouragement to a lost and hurting world who is desperately looking for hope. Let’s use social media to invite friends and family to our online services and weekly devotions.

In the world of politics, it’s been said “never let a crisis go wasted.” For whatever reason, God has allowed this crisis to happen and He doesn’t want His church to waste it. Let’s be a standard worthy to lift up God for all to see, for such a time as this. Let us be the light in a time of darkness.