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Sometimes life stops and the world is put in time-out. Though it is not a frequent occurrence, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been the culprit for the cessation of the busy lives we were used to. 

We have a temporary new normal. Deserted streets. Empty shelves at the grocery. Movie premieres and Broadway shows postponed. Lucrative concert tours and sport events cancelled. Schools closed and church services cancelled. People asked to stay home.

Being stuck inside is positive and negative. You can only binge watch a television series for so long. After a while, you get off the couch and walk to the window and stare out at nothing and wait. We’re waiting for the virus to worsen or go away. If only the “resume” button would work from our remote as we pointed it up in the air.

Blame-shifters have been working overtime. The media has been accused of creating a pandemic. However, since my daughter is a nurse it has provided a more accurate viewpoint. She works in a big hospital close to Atlanta. “There will be deaths.” She spewed out those four words during FaceTime with my wife recently after admitting she previously thought the virus thing was overblown.

A positive to being stuck inside is we are given time to think and reflect. No man or woman can answer the question, “Why is God allowing this pestilence?” A word used in the Bible that refers to a sudden fatal epidemic. 

But in light of the state of affairs in our world this crisis does make me wonder. Abortion used as birth control. The re-design of our sexuality and gender even though it was already designed and set in place by the Creator of the Cosmos. Women kidnapped for the exploitation and greed of sex-trafficking. Pastors admitting to viewing pornography. The laundry list continues while a man sings “God Bless the U.S.A.” at a Trump rally.

What does it take for a revival to occur in our country? I propose three requirements. Circumstances out of our control is one. Being “sick of” sin is another. A desire to return to God is a third. Do you remember the reported increase in church attendance after 9/11 that eventually waned off? 

As Neurosurgeon Lee Warren writes,

“One man finds himself in trouble and is driven to his knees, begging God for help. Another person looks at the problem and decides God has given him the middle finger, so he gives up on God completely.” (I’ve Seen the End of You)

Yes, at this writing, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is still spreading. Nothing spreads like fear. But we have an antidote: the Hope of God’s Word. “If my people,who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV) What will you do with your time-out?