God moves in mysterious ways, a common saying, summing much of the story content of the Bible. Our own lives can bear this out. William Cowper wrote a poem that became lyrics to a hymn in 1773. This observation is not new to our time!
We were traveling when the story of COVID-19 first broke. It became personal when Charlene’s elderly father, now living in a senior living facility in the town of our growing up, was not allowed to take visitors. In fact, no family, anyone’s family, was allowed on campus, after Wednesday, March 11, 2020. So, we drove home, a day before planned, some 600 miles to the south.
Restaurants along the way were nearly empty, very unusual. We stayed overnight in Liberty, Missouri, a familiar stop for us. As we checked out the next morning, we learned the hotel would not be taking guests that evening. Making the final leg of our journey home, we kept a close ear to the news on the radio. Something big was afoot.
We stayed home from church the next day and watched our service online. The congregation was full. But we were already skeptical of large crowds in light of all we had learned and experienced.
The following Monday Charlene and I had our usual business meeting relating to LifeQuest Couples Coaching. It was time to plan for new groups to form for the fall semester and set appointments for key influencers in churches and other Christian ministries. There was much to do. Then word came from two of our coach couples leading a group of three other couples from their home church. They had made a decision to suspend meetings until the COVID-19 “all clear” was given. Our ministry was going to be different from this point on. By Wednesday we suspended all future planning.
Whatever God had in mind during this momentous event in world history, it certainly screwed up my plans for the immediate future (can you relate?). In my more mature Christian moments, fleeting as they are, I desperately tried to understand how God was moving. What I am learning through all this is that God is still sovereign. He moves in small ways, and at times, huge tectonic ways to get his children’s attention. The COVID-19 virus has been a great disruptor of our comfortable status quo. It is shaking us all from our spiritual malaise.
Charlene and I have poured ourselves into LifeQuest Couples Coaching for over four years. But that has ended, and I wonder what God wants from us now. I thought I knew, but the vision is gone into the mist.
Our church continues to meet online with no end in sight. Our new building program continues as planned, money raised, and committed to. Then I think of all the empty storefronts in the neighborhood. Potentially purchased for a song, now. As of this writing, stores and restaurants are just starting to open, but certainly not as before. I wear a mask, not that I fear for my own health. I have a serious heart condition and have lived with it for 19 years. My mask is to protect my Charlene. She has been a very special gift from God. If she were to fall ill, I could not be the caregiver she deserves.
As part of my daily worship time, I listen to contemporary worship music on YouTube. Today, it was Shane and Shane singing “I Will Wait For You,” a musical expression of Psalm 130. Here are a few lines of the lyrics:
“Out of the depths, I cry to You
In darkest places, I will call.
Incline Your ear to me anew
And hear my cry for mercy, Lord”
“I will wait for You, I will wait for You,
on Your word, I will rely.
I will wait for You, surely wait for You
Till my soul is satisfied.”
The COVID-19 interruption has driven me closer to my God as I wait for Him to reveal what will happen to LifeQuest Couples Coaching. I pray you are drawing closer to the King of the Universe and that you can wait patiently upon Him for next steps. This event can be a great opportunity for revival. Some political leaders in the news have stated that leverage from this crisis should not be wasted! I agree, only for far different reasons. May God touch you and those you love in ways that encourage you and draw you closer to Him!
