On Re-Entering a Post #COVID-19 World

Twenty-two years ago I began my teaching career. Naive and enthusiastic, I entered the classroom every day, ready to “change the world”. I tutored students needing to retake the graduation exam, mentored in my church youth group, coached cheer leading; you name it, I did it. That Spring, my first Spring as a official teacher, something tragic happened. It was April of 1999, and two students in Colorado carefully planned to murder their classmates. Thirteen people died in their attack, less than they had planned because their home made bombs didn’t detonate. We were in shock. Schools became vigilant, looking into anyone they felt might try to copy the actions of these two killers. Almost as soon as I started my career, my rose-colored glasses were shattered. No longer were schools safe-havens. .

Fast-forward to 2012, the year my oldest son started Kindergarten. Tragically, despite many grand efforts to protect schools with School Resource Officers and locked doors, a young man in Connecticut managed to get into a locked-down elementary school and kill 26 people. That year I found myself in a true dilemma. For 12 years, I knew the dangers of teaching in a high school. I was prepared to do all I could to protect my students in an attack. Now, I found myself not only worried about myself facing death on the job, but my innocent five-year-old could also be a target, just like those first graders at Sandy Hook. I remember visiting a psychologist friend of mine that year, admitting the excessive anxiety that plagued me thinking about my baby boy facing the dangers of evil in the world. I was, I’ll admit, a mess. He encouraged me to dive into scripture and rely on God and his word during this time of anxiety, and slowly, I began to accept that my children would also go out into a dangerous world, one I was powerless to control.

This year we face a different kind of threat, COVID-19. Silent and potentially deadly, states have resorted to unprecedented lock downs to control it. We are cancelling church, school, sports, etc . . . , staying home, and wearing masks in public. Traditional greetings of hand-shakes and hugs are discouraged, and any meetings we do have are usually on-line. As some states begin to “move out” of this quarantine stage, I am reminded of Matthew 10 when Jesus sent the disciples out into a dangerous world to share his gospel. In verses 17-18 he tells them, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.  Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues,  and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.” Those carrying his message would experience danger, no question. But, he goes on to tell them, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (John 10: 17-18, 28) for  “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father . . . Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (John 10: 29, 31).

Isn’t this comparing apples to oranges? Not really. Few of us have the ability to stay at home for the entire year it will take to come up with a vaccine for this virus. Even if we can, the vaccine will probably be used heavily in nursing homes and not be available to the general public at first. For me, I know that in the Fall, my kids and I will go back to being around 2000 people daily in our various school settings, the possibility of infection swirling around us. So, like the disciples, we are or will be asked to venture out into a dangerous world. As we do this, we will be not only susceptible to all of the world’s former dangers of disease, violence and cruelty, but now we will be in danger of contracting COVID-19 without the comfort of a vaccine. Just like the disciples, we are sure to face difficulties in this time, even if catching the virus isn’t one of them. What can we glean from Jesus’ words during this time? 1. There will be wolves, human or otherwise, and we may suffer. 2. As Ephesians 6:12 states, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood”, so we do not need to fear people (or viruses). We need to fear God alone, the only one who can save our souls. 3. God alone determines who lives or dies. Illness, violence, and natural disasters will always be with us. Our time is determined by our loving Father. 4. He values us. Just as he is sovereign over the lives of sparrows, he is sovereign over our lives.

As we are “sent out” of sorts back into a society riddled with fear and anxiety, may we remember that Christ is aware of the dangers. For most of us, he is calling us not to hide, for as he specifically determines the death of each sparrow, he is also orchestrating the details of our lives. The appearance of COVID-19 did not thwart his plans. So, although we are careful and considerate of others, may we move out in faith only fearing Him that keeps our souls and remember his words: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).