When Circumstances Delay Plans
Well, I said I was going to give an update about every week. Just two weeks in and it looks like I'm still keeping up with that. Unfortunately, it looks like this update is going to be more of a health update than a ministry one.
Let's back up to last Sunday. It’s April 18. I just announced to my church family my plans to resign so I can build an online ministry. I told them my last day would be May 2 which is when I would also be preaching. Little did I know that basically a week later I would get COVID-19.
Now let's skip to yesterday. It's April 26. My dad just tested positive for COVID-19 after being sick for several days. I am starting to have mild symptoms of a fever, headache, sore throat, and congestion. If I have to quarantine for two weeks, that means my last day is now at least May 9. Go figure.
Today, it now seems very likely that my whole family has COVID-19. My mom and I have not yet been tested, but since my dad has it and we both have symptoms, I would say it's a pretty good bet. It looks like I'm going to be at Redemption Hill Church for a little longer than I expected. I have already rescheduled the time I will be preaching to May 9. Hopefully that is where it stays if that is what God wants.
Sometimes this is exactly what God does with our plans. Even when it is something that he wants us to do, sometimes his timeframe is a little different than we think it might be. This is still a part of God's plan. I totally believe that he has a purpose in not only delaying my plans, but also allowing me to get COVID-19. Do I know what that purpose is? No, not really. I might never know. But that is where faith comes in. I have faith that God can use this sickness for his glory, even now that I have to deal with it.
If you are reading this, I hope you will have noticed that I am not using this to point fingers at anyone for not wearing their masks or say that I got it because somebody around me must not have gotten their vaccine. I am not blaming anyone. If, like me, you believe that God is in control of all things, then you have to believe that God has a purpose in everything that happens even if it is something like contracting this nasty virus. Should you take precautions and be careful around especially the high risk? Sure! But bad things aren't necessarily going to be avoided even if you take every precaution. You still have to live life and you still have to obey God by serving him and others. You can't just hide in a corner until there is no more risk. Just about everything you do has some form of risk. Even when there is risk, you still have to trust God and his purposes.
I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. – Job 42:2
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28
If God can do all things, then his purposes are not going to be halted just because some of his people get this virus. It seems like there is nothing good about this virus, but God can certainly use it for good because he wants to use me for his purposes. I think it is far better to look at how God could use this instead of feeling sorry for myself and getting depressed because I have COVID-19.
Please pray for me and my family. Pray that my dad gets better. Pray that my mom doesn't get any worse. And pray that my symptoms stay mild. I've already heard from many of my friends who are praying fervently and offering their support. It is quite the encouragement!
