“The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time.” -Carl F. H. Henry
Thomas L. Friedman, in 2005, argued that the world is flattening. His thesis was that the increasing interconnectedness of the world, through technology then, was removing boundaries that had limited economic growth, social engagement, and information sharing, among other things. Today, our experience is that he was correct.
Our awareness of how seamlessly connected we all are to the global world, especially now, is being felt on every front, in every nation, and by every people group. All nations and people are being impacted by the pandemic. This awareness is taking us to our limits. It is awakening us to our frailty. It is exposing our self-sufficiency and opening our eyes to the burdens and desperation of those around us, as well as those who are far from God.
This awareness is taking us to our limits. It is awakening us to our frailty.
For some, the pandemic has brought a renewed dependence on God. For some, it has drawn their hearts toward a God they’ve never known and yet, for others, it has brought them to a reliance on God's people as we set out to be salt and light. Whatever the case, there is a widening door of unprecedented – exciting – precious opportunity before His church.
“For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” -1 Corinthians 16:9
It is safe to say that there will never be another opportunity like the one in which we are now involved. A simple-but-complex virus is touching every human on our planet in one way or another. How do we respond?
A simple-but-complex virus is touching every human on our planet in one way or another.
Personally, we must recognize the viral nature of the Gospel. The gospel itself is invasive and infectious. Once embedded in the human heart, it leaves nothing untouched. Let’s renew our hearts and passion for the gospel. Let’s remember the wonder of the gospel and how it radically changed our lives.
Let’s realize that the opportunity before us could be brief.
“Do you not say that there are still four months and then comes the harvest? Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are already ripe for harvest” -John 4:35
Our eyes can’t see what is blind to our hearts. God is using this to get our attention! What we see as a problem, a pandemic; is God providing an opportunity to open our eyes to His global movement – THE HARVEST. Ask any farmer and you will learn that the harvest can be lost.
Our eyes can’t see what is blind to our hearts. God is using this to get our attention!
Let’s give ourselves to prayer. Prayer is an effective tool to reach our neighbors and the nations. Prayer transforms us as we engage with God, against the loss of others. The simple and sincere prayer of a follower of Christ for the redemption of others is the most Biblical prayer we can ever pray.
Let’s be faithful to share the Gospel. When our actions and affections are in alignment with our profession, God will arrange an unparalleled opportunity for us to faithfully sow the gospel seed, water what others have planted and reap the harvest of God’s plan.
The simple and sincere prayer of a follower of Christ for the redemption of others is the most Biblical prayer we can ever pray.
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” -1 Corinthians 3:6-7
