Challenging, Terrible Times

“It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20. 

How sad for the leaders, scribes, and elders who saw the miracles of Jesus, and then witnessed the disciples themselves curing the sick, but could not accept this as a movement of God. Instead they wanted the disciples to shut up! “What are we to do with these men?” They asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign was done through them, and we cannot deny it. But so that it may not be spread any further among the people, let us give them a stern warning never again to speak to anyone in this name.”

We should be careful not to be like these leaders and recognize God is always moving amongst us, His finger writing our history. Perhaps we see this time, this pandemic as a terrible time, with so many people sick and dying. In the Philippines alone, 5,878 COVID-19 cases, including 339 doctors and 242 nurses. 387 people have died. There are also so many in desperate situations, hungry, homeless, in need of help.

How does God see this time in our history? Isn’t He giving us time and opportunities to help and be a blessing to others? So many are making ways to feed the poor, give transportation and meals and places to stay to frontliners, make PPEs, etc. Just to get to work, some frontliners have to walk so far every day. I know a priest who is not even Filipino but he has a big heart for the people of Payatas. At first he was just helping the families of the scholars of his foundation, but he saw how many people needed food in Payatas. And so today, he is able to give rice and canned goods to about 7,500 to 10,000 families a week. God made a way where there seemed to be no way! Challenging, terrible times are also hero making times. 

When people pray, and rise up to the challenge, miracles happen. We may not be able to attend mass, or fellowship with our brothers and sisters in church, but more people are seeking God today than at any time in the recent past. According to Pastor Greg Laurie, digital worship may create America’s next spiritual awakening. Since the shutdown started, the millennial viewership of his church alone was up 235 percent. “Doesn’t it make sense that God would bring about revival, a great new American Awakening, through our telephone and laptop screens?”

Yes, God will make a way where there seems to be no way. I am sure He is moving in so many unexpected ways in this unprecedented time when an invisible enemy has put so many of our lives at a standstill. I am excited to find out what God is doing in our midst, and to be a part of it!