By Melissa Ann R. Garcia
Suddenly, we all have to lock ourselves in our own houses to keep safe.
The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the normality of modern living. Social distancing has become mandatory. Face masks and disinfectants are now vital “weapons” against this generation’s biggest threat.
With so much time in our hands due to community quarantine, I have come to realize a few things. Here are some of them, together with corresponding bible verses.
Health is the greatest wealth
It took a pandemic to make the world realize that health matters more than anything. Therefore, we need to value it. We owe it to ourselves to look after our physical, mental, emotional well-being. (For in Him we live and move and exist…—Acts 17:28)
Rest is a must
Time was running so fast in the pre-Covid-19 world that we just went with the flow. But now we are forced to rest. We are reminded to relax. Perhaps God is giving us all this time to prepare for greater things after the pandemic. (He lets me rest in greed meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. Psalm 23:2)
We should bring the old days back
I often hear my parents say, “Mabuti pa ‘nung araw.” Do they miss the good old days when family members talk eye-to-eye and heart-to-heart? Since we have no choice but to stay at home, this is the perfect time for family bonding. (My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not reject the teaching of your mother—Proverbs 1:8)
In God we should trust
Jesus was in the back of the boat with His head on a pillow, and He was asleep. His disciples woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we’re about to drown?” Jesus got up and ordered the wind and the waves to be quiet. The wind stopped, and everything was calm. (Mark 4:38-39)
Just like in that story, what we can do is to wait for God to calm this storm, for He alone can do it. God is in control no matter how terrifying the situation is, and He alone can defeat the unseen enemy that is trying to devour us. We must trust and pray for the whole world; for our families, loved ones, and also the frontliners to be protected and kept safe at all times.
We must worship at home
Did you know that the first worship services were held at houses? Not gathering in physical churches may sound strange, but perhaps God allowed this so He can bring worship back inside our homes. This is the time to pray with our families, to read the Bible and share the verses with them, to sing songs of praise with them and to seek and to plead God for His mercy.
The author, 23, has worked as a Business Analyst for three years prior to the ongoing enhanced community quarantine. She is currently a church and worship leader at Zion Christian Fellowship.