While there have been a lot of changes in my life due to COVID, there was one change that surprised me more than all the others. It was a change of thought.
Each Sunday morning, I wake up between 4 and 5 AM while the rest of my family is still sleeping. I drink a glass of water and make myself a mug of hot coffee. It’s a delicious time of day for me because I’ve always loved my time alone with God before jumping into a new day. The quiet helps me pay closer attention to inner thoughts and feelings. And especially to God’s still small voice.
Like every other morning, I begin my routine with Bible reading. Getting up this early didn't come naturally to me. Necessity nudged me into this practice. When one of my sons needed help with his newborn, I helped. Helping him required me to get up earlier so I wouldn’t miss my quiet time. Time with God is my source of sanity, serenity, and strength. It’s a habit I began way back while I was recovering from eating disorders.
It’s a must I’m happy to muster time for.
Normally on Sundays (before COVID), I would finish my extra-long quiet time and then get ready to attend the early service at the church across town. It’s my favorite church because the sermons are steeped in the Scriptures. God’s word is spoken there. Not people’s opinions. Not politics. Just truth.
But when rumors of a strange and potentially deadly disease reached Canadian shores, I stayed home. I suspected there may be people who wouldn’t take it seriously and therefore I didn’t want to fall victim to the incautiousness of others. Since the Bible warned there would be pestilences during end times, I took it seriously.
What I didn’t expect to happen happened. I enjoyed having church at home. I loved hearing sermons online. Who knew?
It’s not that I didn’t miss normal church. I didn’t miss it as much as I thought I would. God topped up my joy with an extra serving to make up for not feeling safe to attend in person. When I tried to figure out what this meant, I wondered if it was because I needed to find a new church where I might find more kindred spirits. The church I attend happens to have some wonderful people in it, but it also has a reputation for being hard to fit into. Having been warned of this when I first started attending almost 14 years ago, it has proven to be true. But as an introvert who doesn’t enjoy crowds or parties, I’m largely okay with that. I appreciate the handful of acquaintances I’ve gotten to know.
If we’re heeding the Holy Spirit’s guidance about when and where He wants us to be involved, He will comfort us and fill us with joy. Before the pandemic started, I hated to miss church because forsaking fellowship is a joy robber. However, attending online services doesn’t steal my peace nor rob my joy since this isn’t a season of my making. It’s a temporary trial the Lord’s helping us endure.
God doesn’t inhabit a building. He inhabits the praises of His people. He inhabits our hearts as we come to Him with a hunger for His Word and Spirit.
COVID can’t steal our joy in the Lord. Nothing can.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV
I’m nosy-to-know if you’ve experienced a similar revelation during this pandemic?
P.S. Recently I sensed a nudge from the Lord that’s it’s time for me to attend in person again. I look forward to it with joyful anticipation.
