Count it all Joy

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4.

We are all certainly facing a trail right now. Covid-19 has locked us in our homes. Many are sick, and many have already died from the virus. Healthcare workers are stretched thin battling the virus. Workers that the state considers essential are keeping the world afloat with groceries and other necessities. In many ways, we are helpless. Different data, models, and projections tell us stories ranging from a mild flu season to catastrophic death tolls. How in the world are we supposed to "Count it all joy"? I can think of a few ways.

-- It is an opportunity to recharge. One brother told me he has had the opportunity to reorient himself in the spiritual disciplines. After having his first child, he found himself neglecting time in the word and prayer. This is no doubt the case with many of us! This trial has presented many of us with time. It is wise that we should give this time back to God, pursuing him. I have had the opportunity to read Shadow of the Almighty in the past few days and have been challenged by the faith of Jim Elliot. Hopefully you have found ways to grow in your faith and recharge you spiritual batteries in this extended quarantine.

-- It will have lasting effects on the Church's Unity. We can definitely take for granted our weekly meeting. After a few weeks (potentially months) of worshipping online, I think we will have a renewed love and desire for congregational singing. Bob Kauflin wrote an article a few weeks ago called "The most important instrument on Sunday mornings." That instrument is the congregational voice. The congregation is dispersed. We can certainly still worship: standing in our living rooms, looking at the tv screen, singing together as a family while the pastor leads. However, the congregation misses out on edifying one another through singing. When we come back together, we should be all the more encouraged. Likewise, we are unable to meet with our Small groups, Bible Studies, Sunday School classes, or other groups. When we return to these groups, I believe there will be a renewed love, appreciation, and thankfulness for our brothers and sisters.

--It will change the ways churches use technology. There is absolutely no replacement for the weekly gathering. For the believer, Sunday is the best day of the week, and we should long to be physically there. However, for many it is not possible to be there. Many elderly people are unable to join with the body. Some find no way to avoid working on Sundays to provide for their families (a different subject completely, but one that unfortunately does happen). You have no doubt noticed on your Facebook timeline, an increase in the number of churches live streaming and pre-recording services to send to their congregations. Many of these churches, I believe, will continue these practices once the crisis is past. In the present, this is not ideal by any means. However, in the future it has the potential to minister to the people I mentioned and others who struggle to make it to the weekly gathering. It also means that the gospel will be far more easily accessible to people who would never walk into a church building. Churches are also pushing online giving which may lead to more giving in the long run.

-- It will remove chaff. One likely outcome of this is that many churches will see a decrease in numbers. On it's surface that's not a good thing. However, we will see that decrease because many who are in our churches are not in Christ. I believe many such people will "take a few weeks off from church" and decide not to come back. Cultural Christianity is a sickness that weakens many of our churches. While we may see a decline in numbers, I believe we will see an increase in the maturity and devotion of the church. While we do want those "Cultural Christians" to hear the preaching of the word so that they can respond to the gospel call, one main barrier is that they often do not recognize their own need for that gospel. As Dean Inserra says in his book, The Unsaved Christian: Reaching Cultural Christianity with the Gospel, we need to help them get lost so that they will see their need to be found. Perhaps the best way to get them lost is to let them go for a little while. I think this will be a net gain for the church.

It is hard to know exactly what is to come in the wake of this virus. However, we are called to count it all joy. God has a plan to work all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. If that means sickness and death, we count it all joy for to die is gain! As we live we remember that to live is Christ, so we magnify him in the way we live.

"Be still and remember the worst that can come

But shortens our journey and hastens us home...

Come joy or come sorrow, whatever befall

the light of our Savior will outshine them all."