Pandemic … Don’t be fooled!

This pandemic has kicked the entire globe off its axis. In one short month, we’ve become isolated. People are losing their jobs. We’re told not to leave our homes. And if we do, we’ re not to hug, shake hands, or even get within six feet of someone else.
Our lives have been devastated.
And that has thrilled someone.
Clarity hit me like a ton of bricks last Sunday when we were getting ready to do church online. Coffee was poured. My church’s Facebook Live was connected to a bigger screen in our living room for easier viewing. Then, out of nowhere … the power went off throughout the neighborhood.
By that one action, clarity flooded over me.
Yes, there is a pandemic and we all need to be careful. Stay the suggested six feet away from one another. Disinfect doorknobs and phones in your home.
But, don’t for a moment think this is a terrible accident. Dig into scripture.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)
Ponder the events happening in your life that are out of the norm—even for these times.
Please share them with me. Maybe we cannot give each other a hug, but we can offer one another a hand up. We can remind one another that this is not the time to fret, but it’s time to battle. And then … to stand.

Look again at Ephesians 6:10-18 with new eyes. “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.