Responding In Times of Crisis

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. Acts 11:18-20

Lately a number of religious leaders have said that the corona virus is God’s judgment on the world for being wicked. But when we look through scripture, we see something else - that often hardships are a gift to help the church become who we’re supposed to become. That’s what’s going on in this bible passage.

Even though Jesus modeled a life of self-giving and taught his friends to go out and serve others, after he died they just gathered with each other and stayed put in Jerusalem. Finally, a great persecution arose - which doesn’t sound very encouraging - and it’s that hardship that pushed the early Christians out into the world to love and serve. It’s hard not to see God’s hand in the persecution. It seems that God was just giving a louder invitation for the Christians to do what they’d always been taught to do.

In the days of the corona virus we can easily fall into the trap of insulating ourselves from the world and just staying put in our Jerusalem. But even for those of us who should be staying home for the sake of wisdom, that doesn’t mean we can’t serve the world. With less commitments outside the home there’s so much more space to reach out to people by text or phone and to check in on those who may be struggling. Yes, you absolutely need to take care of yourself. And then there’s also the gracious invitation of Jesus to join him in the renewal of all things by serving this world in its illness and stress and financial burdens.

Ask Jesus today how to love well, caring for both yourself and your world.

Also - for any who didn’t receive it, below is an update on our Sunday gatherings around City Church…

Friends, to help "flatten the curve" of COVID-19 and reduce disease spread in the community, LBUSD has let us know that outside organizations like ours cannot meet on school campuses like Lafayette, effective immediately and until further notice.

We knew this could happen, and have been praying and talking about it for a few weeks now. Though we'll miss meeting together in Lafayette for the time being, we want to love our neighbors well and support these efforts.   And we have never been a church that depends on meeting in a building to journey toward Jesus together.  So while we still have a few details to work out for this Sunday and moving our "gathering" online, we're not afraid, and hope you won't worry either.

OK, more details to come soon.  In the meantime, a friend just reminded me to take a few breaths - maybe you could use that reminder, too.  Deep inhale in, "Beloved" (because you are God's beloved) - deep exhale out, "Trust" (because we can trust God's love for us).  Grace and peace, friends - B&B