The Best of Times

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us…”. (from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens).

Our country continues to reel from the physical effects (for many), the serious financial repercussions (for many, many more), and the professional, social and/or educational consequences of social distancing (for everyone) due to the present and potential future incapacitation caused by the Coronavirus. Frustration, fear, anxiety and hysteria fill the air. Anger is not far behind and is starting to seep into the posts and newsfeeds that I read–anger (and judgement) over what others are doing or not doing in regard to personal responsibility and social distancing. On a positive note, many are offering suggestions as to how to make the best of the self-imposed isolation resulting from the social distancing recommendations and mandates being issued at all levels of government.

Having faced the most challenging, life-changing trials in my life during the past 9 1/2 months, I can’t help but wonder if this is the most extreme life event that the majority of the people have experienced during their lifetimes, based on the shock, anxiety, and hysteria that is evident. Is this the first time many have faced potential debilitating illness, loss of life, isolation, loss of work, financial failure, and an unknown future of this caliber? I know that for so many people, this is not the case. I think of so many who have faced far, far worse than I have experienced. They continue to fight their own lonely health and/or financial battles every day, without the tremendous amount of empathy, support and comradery that many in our current Coronavirus crisis are experiencing as a result of working together for the common good through a shared trial. God designed us for connection–with Him and with each other. Hopefully, the lessons learned during this current crisis will help us be more empathetic towards others in the future when we no longer are struggling to the degree we are now.

By God’s grace, when we look back on 2020 one day, I pray that many will be able to say, “It was the best of times.” I pray that the generations who have been accustomed to getting what they want when they want it at the push of a button will get a sense of a simpler time in life, when my generation (and prior generations) was growing up. When we didn’t get everything we wanted and really appreciated what we had. When we had fewer choices but were more content and far less stressed. When we didn’t take spouses and children for granted and spent much more quality time with them. When families didn’t have their lives so scheduled that they rarely saw each other, much less had a meaningful conversation with one another. When we were less demanding and judgmental of ourselves and of others.

Through the Coronavirus crisis, God is giving us tremendous opportunities for positive changes in our lives and the time to pursue these changes. Now is the time to nurture our faith in God like never before, willingly embrace our necessary purification through tribulation to become more like Him, and fully place our hope and trust in the one true God who does not disappoint–our omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, loving heavenly Father. This is a time to examine our lives, our goals, our priorities and see what might need adjusting. It is a time to teach our children and grandchildren how to respond to God and to others in a time of crisis, because they will face many more in their lifetimes. It is a time to heal broken relationships. It is a time to reach out to others with God’s light, love and hope. It is a time to remember that we will not leave this earth one day earlier or later than God has ordained for us. If our faith is in God, we have nothing to fear. He is preparing a place for us in heaven when our earthly life is over.

There is currently a great shortage of many things, but we are uniquely and ironically blessed with an abundance of time. Let’s make it the best of times. Let’s make it count for the glory of God so that, one day, we can look forward to Him saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

“Well Done” by the Afters

What will it be like when my pain is gone
And all the worries of this world just fade away?
What will it be like when You call my name
In that moment when I see You face to face?
I’m waiting my whole life to hear You say

Chorus:

Well done, well done
My good and faithful one
Welcome to the place where you belong
Well done, well done
My beloved child
You have run the race and now you’re home
Welcome to the place where you belong

What will it be like when tears are washed away
And every broken thing will finally be made whole?
What will it be like when I come into Your glory
Standing in the presence of a love so beautiful?
I’m waiting my whole life for that day
I will live my life to hear You say

(Chorus)

What will it be like when I hear that sound?
All of heaven’s angels crying out:
Singing holy, holy, holy are You, Lord
Singing holy, holy, holy are You, Lord
Singing holy, holy, holy are You, Lord
Waiting my whole life for that day
Until then I’ll live to hear You say

(Chorus)
Well done