In that day you will sing: “I will praise you, O Lord! You were angry with me, but not any more.
Now you comfort me. See, God has come to save me. I will trust in God and not be afraid.
The Lord God is my strength and my song; God has given me victory.”
With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!
In that wonderful day you will sing: “Thank the Lord! Praise God’s name!
Tell the nations what God has done. Let them know how mighty God is!
Sing to the Lord, for God has done wonderful things. Make known God’s praise around the world.
Let all the people of Zion shout God’s praise with joy! For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.” Isaiah 12
Wow. Just WOW. Things are scary right now. I’ve never used the word “surreal” so may times a day in my life.
I have to be honest, though. For me, not much has changed. I’m an introvert–I spend most of my days at home, reading, writing, playing video games, working in the garden. If I stay off the Internet, I can almost pretend there’s nothing horrible going on right now; no pandemic, no toilet paper shortage, nobody dying from a terrible virus.
Almost.
Everything is closed. Basically, the entire planet. Coronavirus is pandemic and we’re all social distancing to prevent spread and decrease the burden on the health care system. In one week, the NBA and the NHL suspended their seasons, the NCAA cancelled March Madness, MLB and the NFL postponed their training, Disney closed its parks and Broadway went dark and the colleges shut down, schools closed and churches put everything on hold or online…WOW. The government has recommended no gatherings of more than 10 people ANYWHERE and restaurants are open for Take-Out ONLY…even NASCAR has postponed all racing until at least May 3.
It’s a weird and terrifying and amazing time to be alive. Fear abounds. Yet, people are helping people; when Italy quarantined its entire population, Italians took to singing on their balconies; movie companies are releasing first-run movies straight to pay per view; the DMV has waived all renewals until 2 months past due date; the IRS has postponed tax day until July 15th; all the major museums are streaming guided tours; the Met and many other concert halls are streaming opera and symphonies online for free; people are helping each other; churches are gathering in new, online communities; the canals in Venice are clear and full of fish and dolphins; air pollution is dropping to new lows; traffic jams are nowhere to be found; everywhere you look there’s so much good stuff going on and sharing happening. It’s really encouraging.
As I see it, we have a choice to make. We can’t change what’s happening in the world, but we can change our reaction to it. We can live in fear and anxiety. Or we can live in surprise and wonder and hope. It’s all in what you choose to look at right now. If you look only at the numbers of the sick and the dying, fear will rule your heart. But if you look at the love and grace and helping and sharing, then you’re going to see the Light.
“See, God has come to save me. I will trust in God and not be afraid.
The Lord God is my strength and my song“
I’m choosing to see the Light.
The View from Mt. Hope 