It has been just a little over a year ago that the world was thrown into mass isolation because of COVID-19. Every  facet of  life was affected and our whole way of living was changed. Nothing was routine, anymore. Masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, “social distancing,” isolation and quarantine became the norm. In some cases, law enforcement agencies were enlisted to help carry out mandates to help stop the spread of the virus.

But, there may be light at the end of the tunnel! We have not stopped the virus, entirely, but we have been able to slow down its spread and we are finding more efficient ways of treating the symptoms. Hopefully, medical science will find a way to eradicate COVID-19 and it will become a thing of the past. At least, we could hope for as much.

One of the areas most affected by the pandemic has been religion. All kinds of studies are being conducted to see what will happen regarding religious feelings and attitudes. So far, the results, though incomplete, have not been promising. The pandemic seems to have had a “snowball effect” in a downward spiral that began prior to the pandemic.

But, how much difference will that make in churches? It will largely depend on how we view things. We can believe the reports and accept things as they are or we can believe God and hope things will be better. We must choose to believe God and hope things will be better!

God has never asked Christians to measure the cultural climate and act accordingly. To do so would be to admit defeat because the world  has never favored spiritual things over worldly interests. The world loves its own (Jn. 15:19) and competes against the Spirit (Gal. 5:17) for the souls of men. As God’s children, we must remember that we are not asked to join the world, but to fight against it and its influences. (Eph. 6:10-18)

There is light at the end of this long, dark tunnel. As Christians, we should not give up hope nor should we think the battle is over. We must resume the work that was set aside and be active in getting the news out— there is hope and salvation in Jesus!

As we begin to put this pandemic behind us, let us remember, restore, and resume the great work the church has been given! We do not have to cave to the studies nor follow the world into lethargy. We can and should  make a difference in the world around us!

 

   Gary Knuckles is Minister of the Briensburg Church of Christ and lives in Benton, Ky.