PANDEMICS CAN BE GOD’S POWERFUL TOOL FOR A SPIRITUAL UPLIFT
Eagles love the storm. When clouds begin to gather, they are not disappointed. As the strong winds begin to approach, eagles do not run away. They wait for it. As they near, eagles fly toward them and mount their wings and allow the raging storm to lift them as they glide upward. Strong winds empower their uplift. Thus, they soar above the darkened clouds.Storms make other birds scramble in panic, but cause eagles to fly higher with strength. It wasn’t the span of their wings but the opposing force of the windstorm that carried them upward.
Paul, speaking of a great affliction they faced, said this in 2 Cor. 1:8-9: “We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was TO MAKE US RELY NOT ON OURSELVES BUT ON GOD who raises the dead.” When troubles afflict a Christian, they are sometimes hard and painful.But they always make us lean on a greater power that is beyond the strength of our wings. This submissive entrusting of the battered self to God’s faithfulness and strength when a calamity arrives is called FAITH.Faith will always touch the heart of God and move His hands, to do us good. The Bible tells us to REJOICE in facing TRIALS. Why? Because it RESULTS in an excellent character and brings greater blessings.
“Count it all JOY, my brothers, when you meet TRIALS of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your FAITH produces STEADFASTNESS. And LET steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be PERFECT and COMPLETE, LACKING IN NOTHING.” (James 1:2-4)
Joseph can never become a powerful ruler in Egypt without betrayal, false accusations, and imprisonment. Abraham cannot become a father of faith blessed by God without severe testing. Israel cannot reach the promised land without passing through the dangerous wilderness and facing mighty enemies. The Lord cannot redeem His people unto the Glory of the Father without the horrors of the cross. For God’s chosen eagles, no storm means no uplift. Because of the Colossians’ solid faith in God, Paul tells them:
“May you be STRENGTHENED WITH ALL POWER, ACCORDING TO HIS GLORIOUS MIGHT, for all endurance and patience with joy” (Colossians 1:11)
How is the extended period of seclusion and material inadequacy because of this extended quarantine period lifting you to become a deeper and stronger person of faith in the omnipotent God of the universe? For the rest of the world, this is just a bad storm. For us, this pandemic can be a chance for an uplift.
May God raise those who remain steadfast to a higher level of faith during this calamity.