We can learn a lot from the Coronavirus

I think we can learn a lot from the Coronavirus.

Many people have pointed out how incredible it is to see our nation & world come together to stop this thing in its tracks.

It makes me think.

Why is it that the “negative” things lead us to world-changing action? 

As a follower of Christ, I believe that our God, Jesus, came to bring peace, to bring love, to bring hope, to bring joy, to bring unity. He came as the antidote to the biggest virus in this world: “sin” and asked us to tell the world about it. If tomorrow, we found the antidote that would stop Coronavirus of its power, we would no doubt, get the news out as quick and as far as possible.

I know, this is where my analogy crumbles: “well once it’s cured, then this will just go down in history and the urgency of spreading the news will diminish at the rate of the virus.”

But here’s a thought: why have we run out of toilet paper? Can I argue that the reason “negative” things often produce the most action is because we value our “lives” over anything else?

Jesus said:  “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” 

But hold on, what does He say immediately before that sentence? “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy”. (John 10:10)

Sounds pretty accurate right now.

I read a book earlier today called “Show Your Work” by Austin Kleon. Here’s a little excerpt:

“We’ve all read stories of near-death experiences changing people’s lives. When George Lucas was a teenager, he almost died in a car accident. He decided “every day now is an extra day,” dedicated himself to film, and went on to direct Star Wars….Tim Kreider, in his book “We Learn Nothing”, says that getting stabbed in the throat was the best thing to ever happen to him. For a whole year, he was happy and life was good. “You’d like to think that nearly getting killed would be a permanently life-altering experience,“ Kreider writes, “but the illumination didn’t last.” Eventually he was back to the “busywork of living.”

Tim sounds pretty similar to my crumbling analogy.

Okay, so what am I saying?

I think we can all recognize that scary/threatening experiences, near-death experiences, struggle, hardship, etc usually result in a shift of perspective. They usually wake us up to our gratitude and appreciation for life and health. But these perspectives don’t seem to last. And it feels like when they surface again, our initial reaction to them is fear.

The fact that toilet paper has disappeared off of the shelves within a few days also proves to me the impact our nation can have in such a short amount of time.

Why have we waited so long to be proactive in our impact rather than reactive? How can we start being proactive?

There’s the age old thought: If everybody just did the same thing once, we could change the world. It’s true though, isn’t it? The coronavirus sure has proved it.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, why are we waiting to share the BEST news? Why are we allowing our nation to react in fear rather than trusting a BIG God who is pursuing us with unconditional love? Aren’t we tired of the analogy crumbling? Don’t we want to see our baby sisters and brothers (the next generation) overflowing with energy and joy rather than depression, comparison, and anxiety in today’s world? 

I deeply hope that this virus can be the wake up call…that lasts. 

Steve Jobs said: “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked.”

This life is a gift - “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

I think we can learn a lot from the Coronavirus….

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By the way (a little disclaimer): what I say in this blog is just a raw journal of my thoughts. I’m healthy, I haven’t lost a loved one, and I know I am writing from the position of someone who hasn’t been greatly affected by the virus. I am deeply saddened for those who have. For those who have unexpectedly lost their loved ones and meanwhile have to endure the buzz of differing opinions. It is a big deal for you. I see you. And I am so, so sorry.