The Waiting

    Yesterday I attended a Good Friday service, streamed online because we are under a shelter-in-place order in the midst of the Corona Virus. I sit here on Saturday waiting for Sunday to celebrate the resurrection. I try to envision what it was like for Jesus’ original followers. The difference between us is that I know our Savior came out of the tomb. I have the Bible to tell me the story. They had his promise to return, but it must have been a difficult promise to hold on to, given what they had seen on Golgotha. After the crucifixion, the believers waited. They wanted to have faith, but must have been afraid, sad, depressed. It would have been a long wait.

   Their wait was rewarded with the biggest miracle the world has ever known. They were rewarded with Salvation.
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   I know at some time this fear of the virus - COVID19 - will end. This storm will pass. One way or another we will go back to a somewhat normal life. Until that time, we will wait. I will be thankful for this quiet time. I’m grateful for space to study, and to pray. I’m thankful for the necessity to trust in Jesus, because I’ve been running on my own power for too long. I’m also grateful for time to get a few projects done at home, to connect with friends via the phone or Internet, and to read for relaxation.

  When this is over, I'm pretty sure my friends and I will celebrate as if it were Resurrection Day. But until that time, I don’t want to waste this time of waiting. When this plague passes, when I’m let out of this lockdown, may I be stronger, more grateful, more loving, more faithful, more trusting in the Good Shepherd who has promised to care for me.