Gospel Opportunities Brought by Covid-19

Welcome to day two of the Order to Shelter in Place for our counties. Raise your hand if you’re already feeling a little bit stir crazy. As I sit at my makeshift office (on my daughter’s sewing table), I’m listening for the familiar sounds of the light-but-consistent traffic that usually passes by our house…and not hearing it. It leaves me with the sensation of being in a science fiction novel: eerie but fascinating. Each of us, in our own homes, is a ship floating on the same sea of anxious anticipation. The good news is that we are not alone; we’re a convoy and we can signal to one another for comfort and encouragement, wisdom and guidance, humor and truth.

In this article, I want to share some opportunities the Valley Bible Church family—as a particular expression in time and space of the rescuing love of God in Christ—has available to us as those who have put our faith in Jesus. These are the unique gifts of Covid-19 for “those that love him and are the called, according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28b) My hope, beyond simply enduring this experience, is that we gain new insights to shape how we love one another in our VBC family and share the love of Christ in our communities in the coming weeks and months, and into the future.

In no particular order:

  1. A new appreciation for the gift of human relationships. (Genesis 2:18)

  2. A new appreciation for the freedom to gather as the people of God. (Acts 2:42-47)

  3. A new appreciation that the church is not a building but the family of people transformed by the love of God in Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)

  4. A new appreciation for the vulnerability and fragility of the human condition and the promise of eternal life in Christ (1 Peter 1:23-24)

  5. A new appreciation for the incredible wealth and options available to most of us in the Bay Area …and that not everyone shares in that abundance. (Proverbs 29:7)

  6. A deeper awareness of those gifts I have to offer to others: prayer, a word of encouragement, material generosity, words of truth from Scripture, special skills or knowledge. (Romans 12:4-5)

  7. A clear example of the illusion of control afforded by our modern technology. (Isaiah 2:22)

  8. A greater understanding of the difference between eternal things and those that are passing away. (1 John 2:17)

  9. A new urgency to share the Good News of Jesus, the gospel that gives life, with our family and neighbors. (1 John 5:11-12)

As you reflect on truth from God’s word, how might the Lord use our present circumstances to conform us into the likeness of his Son? (Romans 8:28-29)

Spend some time now and in the coming days praying for yourself, your family, and your community according to the insights you receive.

Author: Nathan Baird, Pastor of Discipleship Development

Nathan Baird