For any questions please email the deacons @ deacons@firstbaptistmountforest.ca
In Light of Covid-19:
March 24, 2020
Covid-19 has invaded and upset our world, and its effects have rippled or roared into our personal space. Responses to Covid-19 and its effects are polarized or someplace in-between. We will not comment on the diverse reactions to Covid-19. Recognizing that we all are being forced to change and cope be it through school closures, layoffs, social and travel restrictions, major & minor inconveniences, etc., we as pastoral staff want to encourage you in the follow thoughts and actions:
1. God knows everything already. Isaiah 46:9-10 “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” In context the ancient Israelites were in exile in Babylon and more severe geopolitical troubles were to come. God tells the exiles to leave their idols and remember Him, the only and one true God who knows the end of a thing from the beginning. God has perfect knowledge. Yet God doesn’t just have full knowledge of the future, He says His purposes will stand. That is, what God wants to accomplish He will complete even when all we see is chaos.
Covid-19 is assaulting and revealing the futility of our idols and showing us our limits. With our very limited and even faulty knowledge we can’t tell what will happen tomorrow. Yet God already knew about Covid-19, what it will do, how it will affect us and how it will all end. Let us remember what God has done in the past, meditate on who God truly is then each day express anew our faith and dependence upon the living God who knows and holds the future and can direct us through these troubled times.
2. God cares. 1 Peter 5:5-7 “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Verse 7 is often quoted when we are anxious, and it is true, because God cares for us we can bring our concerns &fears to Him. Yet in the context of verse 5 there is a general command of all to show humility to each other and to humble ourselves before God. Wayne Grudem notes in his commentary on 1 Peter, if we truly want God to deal with our anxieties we will have to humble ourselves accepting God’s wisdom and ways and when we cast our concerns on God, who will care for us, we can then in humility be concerned for others. Covid-19 is anxiety producing and raises many legitimate concerns. But it is easy to in concern for ourselves to not be humble, but demanding of God to do this or that and to become self-centered. This text reminds us that because God cares, and we can humbly give our concerns and anxieties to Him. Since God has our back this frees us to be caring for others.
3. Pray for your leadership – Federal & provincial governments, health boards, your employers/boss, any who are in authority over you and are making decisions regarding Covid-19 and our lives. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” We are commanded to pray for our leaders. Someone in our church observed that up to the time of this writing, our leaders have not asked their citizens to pray. They are trying to solve Covid-19 on their own ability. They can’t. They need God’s intervention, wisdom, etc. It is up to the Church of the Living God to intercede so they make wise decisions or we won’t live peaceable lives that provide a context to further the Gospel.
4. Contact your friends, neighbors, etc via the method of telecommunication of your choice. Social distancing doesn’t mean silence or non-communication.
5. Spend time with your family whom you live with. Get the board games out, play video games, review the family photo albums, laugh & talk together. Even though everything has slowed down we can still enjoy this time with each other.
As for our church events and gatherings which are not able to be done in normal fashion. We along with the diaconate are trying to adjust and create options. Plans are for sermons to berecorded and put on the website for each Sunday. Other things are seeking to be developed for virtually connecting with the youth, etc. Some things may work and others not. Like many others it’s a new path and trial and error is expected. We appreciate your patience.