How do God's children react when the world around us seems to be falling apart?

I don’t know if you were like the people in our home. We were surprised and astounded by the coronavirus pandemic in the past year. However, this spring and early summer we thought that our world was finally leaving this plague behind us. But, the past week has been a time of “COVID consciousness” in our home.

Our oldest son is a principal in the Mat-Su School District, and during the week of August 30-September 3, his school was first in the Mat-Su School District to be closed this year because of multiple cases of the coronavirus. We watched our son and our schools deal with new challenges.

Then from Thursday through Monday we learned that many friends, and even family were newly affected by the virus. On, Thursday, September 2, close friend and retired pastor, Rev. George Rakos, and his wife. Carolyn, both received positive results for the virus. Fearfully, my friend George fights Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). On Friday, Pastor friend, Mike Von Behren, from Spokane, WA, tested positive. We also heard that same day that Kathy’s first cousin, Al Gulseth, entered the hospital in Ft. Smith, AR. Then, on Saturday, Pastor Greg Heidorn, from Faith Lutheran in Homer, let me know that he and his wife, Wylene, had contracted this disease. The scourge was hitting home.

The headline in Sunday’s Anchorage Daily News read, “Why 8.4M Americans are out of work when there are more than 10M job openings.” And other news reports that hospitals and ICU’s in AK are at capacity, as a new variant of this virus asserts itself. What does a child of God do in the face of continued concern and disruption of our lives?

Then my reading for my devotion on Tuesday, September 7, came from MARK 13 “31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 32 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back — whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” (Mark 13:31-37) We don’t know when the end is coming. That is why, Jesus calls His people to keep watch, to always to be ready in faith for His return. But Jesus also encourages His children to keep doing the work of His kingdom.

What does a child of God do in the face of continued concern and disruption of our lives? How do we react when the world around us seems to be falling apart? As I read these verses from Mark, the apocryphal quote from Martin Luther came to mind. I was taught a version of this quote in seminary, though now finding authentication is difficult. “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” In the face of coming chaos, Luther is supposed to have said he would nevertheless persevere in living as a servant of Jesus.

Christians should not be surprised at trouble and chaos in our world and in our lives. This world has rebelled against its Creator and is under the curse of sin. Jesus assures us this end will come. The world will end in judgement. We just do not know when this will happen.

But, even knowing that we live with the result of our sinfulness, and even knowing that the end will surely come, Jesus still calls His people to continue doing the work he has given us. Even as schools close, as hospitals fill, as our work force is in turmoil, and loved ones are ill, we still have the presence and the love of Jesus. Jesus died and rose to save us from death and judgment. He sends His Holy Spirit to guide us in faith through this life. Others around us also need the saving love and the guidance of Jesus. So, knowing Jesus’ loving presence we share the love of God in words and actions. So, knowing our ultimate destination, we continue to do the kingdom work of loving God and of loving others.

On Monday, September 7, our son’s school re-opened. Thankfully, we have good reports thus far from fellow pastors about their condition. But, unfortunately, Kathy’s cousin passed away from COVID this past Monday, August 6, in Arkansas. We are praying for our community and for our country. We would like to be in control of our world, but we are not. Nevertheless, we do know that the one who loves us and saves us is Lord of all, and rules the world in His love and power. Therefore, we persevere in the work of our Lord and our Savior.

What does a child of God do in the face of continued concern and disruption of our lives? How do we react when the world around us seems to be falling apart? Trusting Jesus, I will seek to push on and to serve my Lord.