When Ontario first announced that schools would be closed for two weeks after March Break, many people were optimistic that life would return to normal on April 6th. Today we know that’s not the case, and we also know that we don’t know when this will pass. One of the hardest things in life is to live with uncertainty. By our nature we like to be able to make plans, and we like to have a consistent environment in which to make them. Right now, we have to trust in God completely and leave him to order our days.
It is with sadness that we know we will no longer be able to meet on Good Friday or Easter Sunday. That does not mean, however, that we will not be able to worship the Lord! Let us not forget that God is sovereign, and he could easily eradicate COVID-19 if he so chose. He knows that this pandemic means we cannot gather together, and he is permitting that. Our job is to praise him in the contexts in which he has placed us.
It may also do us good to be mindful of other partner groups and organizations that are experiencing difficulties alongside of us. There are people and groups that we know and love that are going through more tumult than we as a church are. Let us remember and pray for:
Onside Athletics and Bryan Gillmore – They have had to cancel some of their leagues, and are facing an uncertain summer.
P2C, InterVarsity, and other campus ministries – This has been a chaotic time for university students and those who work with them.
Missionaries and Missions – Try to imagine being overseas right now, or desiring to travel to teach and evangelize. Pray for our missionaries.
RCA – The school cannot use their space during this time. They now have to teach children and work with the families from a distance.
Our Community Ministries – Many of the local ministries we support are very limited in what they can currently do.
Summer Conferences and Camps – These organizations have had retreats and bookings cancelled for the spring, and are unsure of their summer. For some of them, one summer without revenue could mean closing permanently.
We have to understand that there are personnel, logistical, and financial difficulties for every one of these groups right now. As people lose employment, they cannot give as they used to, and every Christian ministry and charity suffers. Not only that, but the people who work for such organizations have often made personal sacrifices to do so. They want to be ministering! It’s hard when you want to reach the world and serve others, but you’re restricted in what you can do.
We are all part of different organizations, but we all belong to one Kingdom. We need to be united in true partnership, and do everything we can to work together and support each other.
May God Provide.
Steve