What is God Up To?

What is God up to? .

I’ve seen many posts and memes lately that have tried to answer this question. “God is using this pandemic to bring families back together!” “God is going to use this to start a revival!”

But here’s the thing. The fact is, we simply can’t know all of the whys behind this pandemic.

If you’re enjoying more family time, new hobbies, and a slower pace of life, that’s great! Be thankful! We absolutely should – even must – “in everything give thanks.”

I read part of an article that went beyond the inspirational memes we share (however well-meaning they may be) with a sobering reminder: “Try talking about the “blessings of the restored family unit” to the dad who is about to lose his business and his ability to keep a roof over his family’s head. Talk to me about “slowing down my life” as I’m chained to my desk for 16 hours a day trying to calm down nervous clients and friends. Talk about the virtue of “dinner coming back to the table” to the Italian grandchildren who will never have dinner with their grandmothers again.”

This is a unique and surreal time. Despite COVID being an experience shared by basically the whole world, I want to be careful not to assume I know what it’s like for any one person. And I want to be careful not to put words in God’s mouth or assume I know what He is doing through all this.

John Piper says: “God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, and you may be aware of three of them.” This applies to this pandemic too.

If you think I’m saying we shouldn’t share jokes or laugh right now, I assure you that’s not what I’m saying. Laughter is good medicine.

By all means, share funny posts. Find the blessings and gifts. Slow down (if you’re one of the ones enjoying that luxury right now) and ponder what’s really worth prioritizing in life.

And then, in humility, get on your knees and ask the God who dearly loves us to give rest and peace and mercy... because they’re so very needed right now.