As most of us go through life we get into a routine, a pattern, which allows us to more easily navigate life. We may do lots of different things, but we generally follow a routine. For most of us, that routine ended in March this year.
I live in British Columbia, Canada, and as for most people in the world things have been very different for a couple of months. Thanks to our new COVID-19 reality we can get together with friends, outdoors, 2 metres or more apart, but not any closer and not inside. After two months of closure, restaurants have been allowed to reopen, but with “social distancing” regulations. Who had ever heard of “social distancing” three months ago? No events with crowds, no church meetings, no large gatherings. We now get together and hold meetings with ZOOM or Skype. Our world has changed dramatically. Even introverts are realizing they need a bit of human interaction. Crises arrive unexpectedly, with no warning, and we have to adapt. Life changes. Sometimes it returns to normal but sometimes it is changed forever and there is a new “normal.” It is difficult because our routine is gone and we have to develop a new routine. That can be hard, even painful for some, but change is a part of life. But with every crisis there is also opportunity. This crisis gives us an opportunity to take a look at life and think about what truly is important to us. Family? Friends? Work? Sports or hobbies? What about God? Is He important? For me, Christ is the centre of my life and everything else revolves around that centre. With that stability my life is fine, still okay, although with many changes.
I am thankful that the one firm foundation for my life is not my routine, but my God. Jesus is my anchor. Amid all of this change I trust Him and ask that He will enable me to help others who are suffering through these troubled times.
