Your Purpose in a Pandemic

As believers, what are we to do when our world is steadily being impacted by the “novel coronavirus”—otherwise referred to “SARS-CoV-2”, “coronavirus disease 2019”, and  “COVID-19”?*

For starters, we can recall that we are abundantly blessed. No, this is not “prosperity gospel” talk, but God says to us that we have received “every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). What are these spiritual blessings?  The rest of Ephesians 1 details:

·       We are chosen in Him before the creation of the world (v. 4, 11)

·       Adopted as God’s children through Jesus—as full heirs (v. 5)

·       Recipients of “the riches of” His “glorious grace” “freely given” to “and lavished on” us through Christ (v. 6, 7, 8)

·       Redemption through the blood of Jesus (v. 7)

·       Forgiveness of our sins (v. 7)

·       Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of God’s will (v. 9)

·       Part of God’s plan—the One “who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will” (v. 11)

·       Included in Christ through faith and belief (v. 13)

·       Marked with the Holy Spirit (v. 13)

·       Our inheritance guaranteed (v. 14)

(See Ephesians 1:1-22)

Because of this—due to the fact that we have been abundantly blessed by the God of the universe—we have everything we need to be generous to those around us.  Second Corinthians 9:8 says it this way: “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” The following verse is actually quoting from Psalm 112:9:  “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

The next few verses lay out some of how we might live in these times:

·       As God supplies our needs, He enlarges the harvest of our righteousness.

·       As we are enriched—in every way—it is SO THAT we can be “generous on every occasion” so that God is thanked (it’s not about us!)

·       Our acts of service are to provide for the needs of others—again so that God is praised.

·       Our obedience to Jesus looks like generosity and sharing.

(See 2 Corinthians 9:8-13)

·       What is one way you can be generous to someone in your own household, a neighbor, a person in a more at-risk population today? Perhaps it’s an affirmation, a kind word, forgiveness, love, an errand, a meal, a phone call, a promise to pray, an email or video message, a hand-written note.

·       What is one way you can be generous to your community today? Buying a gift card from a local restaurant to help keep them afloat? Ordering take-out or delivery for the same reason? Making a donation—monetary or otherwise—to your local food bank, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Red Cross, United Way, your church, or similar—so they can continue to provide a safety net for those in the most need?

·       Ask God how He wants you to be generous today—in word or in deed.

 *https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/summary.html

 Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been EquipConnectServe Director at her 1,200 member church since 1999.