Amid the difficulty of the current pandemic, I believe the Church has an opportunity like we’ve never had before. We have the chance to draw near to God without distractions and to understand His ways anew - maybe in a way that we have never had before. 

Everything is coming to a halt. Most cities in America are enforcing some form of “shelter in place” order. Sporting events are postponed. Entertainment venues are closed. Restaurants, theatres, bars, gatherings are all closed. Even Netflix crashed yesterday!

In light of this challenging moment, I want you to consider Jesus right now. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8). That means He is exactly the same today as He was last month and last year, before there was a Covid-19 pandemic. He has not changed. And He is the one who has led us into this moment. Consider Eph 1:11, Jesus, “… who works all things according to the counsel of His will.

When we consider how He leads we have to agree that nothing is happening apart from His knowledge or desires. He is moving all of history forward according to the counsel of His own will. There are certain things He directs and certain things He allows. But in all things He remains enthroned and sovereign over the affairs of humanity. 

His wisdom is exceptional. There is not one being in all created order that even comes close to leading like Him. If we were to take all the combined knowledge and wisdom of every human being, every expert physician, every intellectual genius, every military commander, every political leader, every scientist, every billionaire, and added them all together, the combined knowledge base would be infinitely below Jesus’ wisdom and understanding. Jesus is perfect. He never makes mistakes. He never underestimates. He never overreacts. He never acts insecurely or controls and He never passively abdicates. 

In that wisdom He has led us to this moment, whether we agree with it or not. He has an ultimate purpose in all of this. (I guarantee it isn’t that the church would emerge from the quarantine with a really sweet media ministry. I’m all for good media ministry, but I don’t believe that’s His main purpose.)

WHAT'S OUR CHALLENGE?

Our challenge right now is aligning our expectations with His leadership. When our expectations are different from His wisdom and ways, we find ourselves disillusioned and despondent. 

In order for us to be aligned with His leadership we must understand His ways. When we do not understand His ways our expectations get misaligned. It’s why the psalmist prayed, “Teach me Your ways oh Lord, that I may walk in your truth” (Psalm 86:11)

We must agree that the Lord’s ways are infinitely above our ways.

Isaiah 55:8-9  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD?

A key for us to move forward through this current, difficult season is to come into agreement with His leadership - no matter where He leads us. 

The Father is singularly committed to the unanimous exaltation of the Son over all creation. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. In order for this to come to pass He will shake everything that can be shaken. Seats of human government, financial systems, educational and business systems, as well as church systems … everything that can be shaken will be shaken. 

We are right now experiencing a small shaking. There are far more severe things coming. 

Right now, the Church must get into agreement with the Lord’s leadership and draw near to Him to understand His ways. If we don’t do that now, we will emerge from this pandemic and go back to ‘church as usual.’

I personally feel a new resolve to agree with the Lord’s leadership no matter the cost to me personally or the church at large. If He believes we need to be shaken, I AGREE, we need to be shaken. I encourage you to tell Him right now that you agree with His leadership and ask Him to teach you His ways.

Pray this prayer

Father, I don’t always understand your ways, but I don’t have to understand. You are God and I am not. Your ways are perfect, good, and just. I accept your leadership and say it is good. Thank you for leading me and calling your church to know you more intimately. I trust you. Your leadership is perfect. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.