Just Dan Grant

You know what? It is really hard to write about anything but a dad-gum virus right now. It is amazing how one thing can captivate the attention, focus, money, priorities, fears, and direction of the entire world. There are a lot of things I thought I would share with my children and grandchildren, but this was never one of them.

It’s amazing to me to think that this will be on the same level of historical impact as Pearl Harbor, 9.11, or another major historical event. This will be a “remember when” for a lot of people.

Growing up, I recall visiting my great-grandmother’s house and noting that the woman never lacked for food – especially canned goods. The freezer was always stocked and the pantry was full, but somehow we always ate at Burger King! Upon my great-grandfather’s death, as the family cleaned out the house, they found cash stashed in multiple locations around the house and property. And somehow he never had cash to pay for lunch at Burger King. Both of their “hoarding” tendencies were directly linked to their experiences during the Great Depression. I wonder what we will prioritize after all this is over.

Something tells me my grandchildren will wonder why we have a closet full of toilet paper.

But honestly, we are sleeping just fine at night – aside from the occasional child creeping into our room. We have picked up a couple of necessities, and made sure that we have what we need for a couple of weeks. There are some work-related things I have done for the safety and protection of our church members, and we have cleaned our house inside and out. Common sensical things that needed to be done, and we will continue to do until the coast is clear.

And I believe the coast will be clear. Sooner or later. Tomorrow, next week, or next month – could be longer. There will be a new normal, or things will go back to the way they were. People will get sick, people won’t – the worst will happen, miraculous healing will take place, the sun will rise in the East and set in the West. There will be new life, there will be loss of life, and life will continue.

I know this because my Grandfather had a mantra that has stuck with me for many years now.

God Is Real.

Sounds simple. It really does, but it is something that I think that we lose sight of in times like these. Life doesn’t go our way, or according to our plan, and we lose sight of a really simple truth – God Is Real.

God did not wake up last week to the news that a virus was working its way around the globe in shock or panic because He didn’t see it coming. Same way He didn’t wig out when the Black Plague attacked Europe or when the Spanish Flu did it’s damage. This is really all according to His plan and His will!

I am about to go from spiritual and empathetic to metaphorical and corny really quick so hang tight.

Remember Avengers: Infinity War? Yep. I went there. Dr. Strange does the whole yoga pose thing while shaking around like a 3yr old with cotton candy and “sees into the future”. He walks through over 14 million scenarios and at the end – there is only one way that the Avengers can win and beat that really big purple smurf. Only one way.

If you haven’t picked up on my point yet – let me make it clear. God is Real, his plan is real, and everything that happens around us is a part of that plan. And like it or not, there is only one way that all of this is going to work out. His way. Spoiler alert – even if it means Iron Man dies at the end.

So what is our response to this? How do Christ followers follow Christ through a situation like we find ourselves in now?

• Plan each day around His plan. I like how James says it in the Bible – “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that”. (James 4:15) Stop asking yourself what you want to do with your day, your year, or your life – and ask what God would have you do with His life that you are living for Him.
• Plan for the unexpected. It’s an individual who is content with God’s will, that doesn’t fall to pieces when His will happens in their life. I’m not saying it is easy, or comfortable, or even likable – but we have to find peace with it.
• Plan to pursue peace. I love the analogy of God’s will being compared to a merry-go-round. If you are that old and have been on one, you know what I am talking about. The best place to be on that spinning wheel of death is right in the middle. Slide out to the edge, and you find yourself praying for a mulch runway over a gravel runway. Quite simply, the closer you get to the center of God’s will, the calmer life can be. Doesn’t mean you avoid problems – but you get to go through them with God at your side.

So what is going to happen with this virus?

I like what one infections disease expert said in a podcast I heard the other day: “We don’t know”.

And really, we don’t need to know. All we need to know is that God Is Real – this is His plan – and whether we wake up tomorrow morning healthy and happy, or don’t, it is all according to His will. Rest in that, and don’t forget:

God Is Real.