I’m in my early 40’s and I have never seen anything like what’s happening in the World. And I don’t mean the pandemic. Well I do in a sense because I have never seen anything like that either. However, I’m talking about the opportunity the church has right before its eyes.

This generation has not seen anything like this. Who would have thought something like this was possible with all the technology we have and the science to get out in front of a virus. Yet here we are. Not only are we sitting here with countries in complete quarantine, we have people treating grocery stores like the apocalypse is upon us.

Because of this mentality, there is a fear that has gripped the hearts of humanity. You read stories about elderly people that are terrified to go to the grocery store. They’re worried about being able to get essential items and yet stay away from contracting the virus. People are fearful because of the economy. Businesses are being forced to shut down for a period of time to try and stop this virus from happening. The stock market has taken a nose dive since the beginning of the March.

All of this is happening around the world and in our own backyards. Some people have gone to social media to push their political agendas during this time. Others have taken the opportunity to bash selfishness and hoarders. The news is flooded with death tolls and rising number of cases happening with Covid-19. Sports has come to a complete halt. The world is looking for answers. They’re looking for something or someone that can stop this madness.

Enter the church. No I don’t mean the building. I mean the true body of Christ. See, we are sitting here watching all of this happen and we have two choices that lie in front of us. The first choice is to partake in the fear. We can become fearful and allow that to overcome us to the point we make decisions accordingly. We can watch the news and let fear grip our hearts. We can walk in that mindset like many others.

The second choice is this, though, we can walk in hope. See, we know from scripture that God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). We have something unique. We have hope. Jesus died to give us hope (1 Peter 1:3). Not only do we have hope, we know the God who gave us hope. Not only do we know the God who gave us hope, we have the opportunity to share that same God with the world.

The wold is looking for something. Anything that will give them hope in this situation. We have that hope. This isn’t a time for condemnation. This isn’t a time for judgement. This is a time to show the love of God like never before. We should be taking this moment to encourage one another.

One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is Esther 4:14. Esther is given a choice to try and help save her people. She’s told that if she doesn’t do it, salvation will come from another place but her family will be lost before salvation comes. Then someone tells her this:

”…..Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.”

My friend you have been brought into this kingdom for such a time as this. You’ve been given an opportunity to show hope in a hopeless situation. To show love to those that feel lost and abandoned,. To show faith in the face of fear. Salvation will come. Will you be a part of it?