“What I have learned from the Covid-19 Pandemic?”

Monday, May 11, 2020

Tonk Talk by Mark T. Tonkery

What I have learned from the Covid-19 Pandemic?

The coronavirus which started in China last fall and now has spread to over four million people, causing over 284,732 deaths worldwide (as of the writing of this article). This pandemic is still not over, and the effects will be felt for a long time. But as we deal with this virus, I wanted to share some things I have learned and observed so far:

• Covid-19 is like sin. Covid-19 has quickly spread around the globe, and although not everyone gets this virus dies, it has caused many deaths and has disrupted many lives.  It reminds me a lot like sin, yet sin is far more dangerous.  Rom. 3:23 states, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Remember, Rom. 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death…”. Everyone who sins dies the second death if one does not repent (Lk. 13:3,5).
• Covid-19 reminds us we can evangelize the world.  It was about eight months ago, and no one ever heard about the coronavirus or Covid-19, now almost the entire world knows about it.  Just think if we took the gospel of Jesus as seriously as we have taken the message about the Covid-19, we could reach the whole world with the gospel message of Jesus Christ.  Remember Jesus tells us to “go into the entire world…” (Mk. 16:15), Covid-19 reminds us that a message can be spread throughout the world, in a relatively short time, what about the gospel of Jesus?
• Covid-19 has taught us to connect with people in different ways.  Eight months ago, I would never have believed that I would be learning how to preach and teach over the internet.  Now for the past few weeks, many Christians have assembled around their computers and cell phones, listening to God’s word preached.  This situation reminds us of Jesus’ teaching in Jn. 4:24, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 
• Covid-19 has taught me to appreciate what I have because you never know when it will be taken away.  Now, I am not just talking about toilet paper, or eating at a restaurant, although that might apply.  But for the past few weeks, we have been prevented from assembly with the Saints.  This is a freedom we have in this country, but many Christians throughout history, and even in many countries in our world today do not have this freedom.  Many Christians are persecuted, imprisoned, or even put to death for assembling in the name of Christ.   May we realize what a blessing we have when we can gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ and not take it for granite.   When we can meet may we make the most of it and appreciate what God has allowed us to have.

These are just a few things that I have learned, I am sure there will be many more lessons that will be learned as this pandemic continues.  It is so easy, to be frustrated, and be discouraged during this time, but let us not give into despair.  May we look at this situation and ask, “What can we learn from this?”  Let us use this pandemic as a learning time and most important use it to draw closer to the Lord.  Think about it!  Mark T. Tonkery

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