Have you ever thrown a stone into a pond or a lake, which has very still water in it? What happens? The splash from the stone, creates a ripple effect. All was peaceful. All was quiet. Little boats, twigs, anything on the surface, was just sitting there. A stone is thrown in; All is disturbed. And the larger the stone, the bigger the splash, the stronger and farther reaching the effect of the ripple. The closer you are to where the stone or large rock was dropped, the more you are disrupted, even over-turned by the splash. The stone? Covid. The lake? Your life. I have seen my life upturned by covid. But I have seen other people’s lives upturned by covid even more. And I have seen people, who can simply say; what covid? Their life has changed nothing by virtue of covid. They never lost anything, in relation to anything. But I have seen others just broken apart, or breaking apart. And I have seen others disrupted, but hanging in there. All 3 types are in MCC if you would but just open your eyes. The ripple effect of covid, basically hits 3 areas of your life. Emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I think most people have been affected by covid physically.
What I really want to shine a light on is spiritually and emotionally.
I must say, that I am surprised that covid has affected people spiritually; this really surprises me. These also I observe in the groups; those via physical gifts, came to church; we call this outreach. We all are/were like this. So this is a positive spiritual effect. From darkness to light, via covid. Those who received much via the church, but turned and walked away from us, MCC; a) it will come back to them spiritually for their base character Pro 25: 22; b) they went out from us 1 John 2: 19. The third group spiritually, are those, that in spite of physical sickness they have remained strong, emotionally and especially spiritually. Never for a second doubted God was in control. Spiritually solid.
The largest ripple effect of the stone covid I observe is the lake of emotional effect it has had on people. Many have been changed emotionally via covid. Their walk is not the same. Christian attitudes are not the same. Emotional issues have slammed them against the wall, and has had an effect physically and spiritually which will long outlast covid. I admit, maybe 5 weeks ago, for a two week period, I had enough. But that was due entirely to one person not doing what they should do, what they were raised up to do. It nearly shut me down. Yet, the LORD, in his grace, heard my emotional depression, and solved the situation. So, my “give up, I had enough”, lasted some time but it did not affect my walk with God. It affected purely my emotions, and perhaps, drove me to be physically weak. From that I am still recovering. All over the world we see people are emotionally so weak, that where we used to be strong, we can’t take much negativity any more. We can’t take arguing as we used to. We can’t take disappointments as we used to. Our emotional defences are down, and that can make us a ticking bomb, waiting to explode. People are making poor and wrong choices of situations in their lives, as they are so emotionally down. I can just encourage you with Gal 6: 2- we should be there for each other. Lk 11: 46 we must not be someone’s burden. And Mth 10: 38 we are familiar with; Mth 16: 24 less so. What is the modern interpretation of this verse? It means, carry the emotional struggles you have, until Christ sets you free. Sure, you can free yourself, but you will simply head into the light, a freight train of disaster waiting for you. Wait. Till God releases you, and then you will be free. Until then, carry that cross. It is hard. It is tough. But do not give up. Covid is a massive stone of disruption in your life. It wants to overturn you physically and emotionally and spiritually. Do not let covid defeat you.