Reset
As I write this, PI is cancelling all of our schools for the rest of March and April. We are watching things closely to see what may need to be done for May and June. Callie, Derek, and I had just returned to the States before serious travel restrictions began to take effect. Randy had to scramble to get back before mandatory quarantines took effect for citizens returning from Europe. We are all in “reset” mode as we face this unprecedented situation. But, one thing we are sure of, this is an amazing opportunity for sons and daughters of the Kingdom!
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-15
Historically
In the year AD 165, the Roman Empire suffered a devastating epidemic. It was lethal and it is estimated that a quarter to a third of the population probably died of it. In AD 251, Rome suffered a second horrific epidemic. Because of the filthy, unsanitary conditions that prevailed in the cities, when a disease began to ravage a city, those with means and a place to go would flee the city. If family members contracted the disease, they would be left behind to die. For those that could not flee the city, they would throw the infected out in the streets in an effort to distance the rest from the contagion.
But not the Christians! They stayed and cared for the sick rather than desert them. The impact of this counter-cultural, fear-free action was enormous. After the epidemics subsided, many of the people would return to find their loved ones, whom they’d abandoned, healthy. Some Christians succumbed to the disease, but a surprising number of them did not fall sick at all. Because of the powerful witness of these Christians and the immense benefit their faith provided to Roman society, Christianity spread like wildfire. It is estimated that by the time Constantine became emperor in the early 300’s AD, between 20 and 30 percent of Rome had accepted the Christian faith.
Opportunity
We are citizens of the Kingdom of God. We are faced with a global pandemic. Once again history has given us an amazing opportunity to be a direct witness of His heart, His love and heaven’s supernatural power. I pray that a holy anticipation is building in your spirit, looking for what His Spirit will accomplish through us during this poignant season.
Be Bold, but be wise in your boldness. Do not travel or gather in ways that may inadvertently endanger others, however, be quick to respond to need. Speak Life and Hope. God does amazing things in impossible situations when we cooperate with His purposes. May the Lord destroy any remnant of fear in us and grant us strategic faith to meet this opportunity!