I tend to be a pretty task-driven individual. I thrive on structure and clear expectations. I struggle with the temptation to find my worth in my productivity – how many tasks I can check off the list, how many activities I’m involved in, how much progress I make toward my goals. So when something happens to render me unable to produce, unable to complete the tasks set before me – something like the COVID-19 crisis, for example – I’m left feeling unsure and somewhat purposeless. 

Over the course of the past month, everything has changed as concern over COVID-19 has taken our nation and our world by storm. Life and ministry suddenly look very different! What about my goals? What about all the things I do that give me a sense of purpose and identity? What exactly is expected of me in this strange and unprecedented season of isolation? 

The Westminster Catechism states that the chief end of man is to “glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” We know that God remains unchanged by COVID-19. His purpose for us, His people, remains unchanged. His mission, His desire to be known and worshipped by people from every tribe, nation, language and ethnic group remains unchanged, and His Great Commission to us in Mt. 28:18-20 goes unrevoked. My purpose hasn’t changed, even if it feels like it has. Literally, the only thing that has changed is the context in which we are living to glorify and delight in God. 

Many of us are wrestling with what our “new normal” for this season should and can look like. Just considering that question feels complicated, but what if we simplify? What if we focus only on what God asks of us? Let’s remember that this unique situation doesn’t make it impossible for us to know Christ better and to make His name known. Rather, let’s intentionally seek ways to leverage this context to expand the kingdom, just as we would with any other context. Those living in an overseas missionary capacity have a different context than a stay-at-home mom in middle-America. The believing janitor at your child’s school has a different context for glorifying God and making Him known than the pastor at your church does. A single young woman’s context differs from that of a married couple, just as theirs differs from a child in middle school. Your normal context probably differs in some way from your current COVID-19 inspired (or enforced) context… and that’s okay!

All of our lives look different based on our surroundings and our season of life. But that’s something to glory in, not to worry over, as our God loves diversity and receiving honor from people in all walks of life! No matter what context we find ourselves in, as the children of God we are all called to glorify God and enjoy Him daily. And as we delight ourselves more and more in God Himself, the natural outflow is to tell others about Him. 

The question is, how will knowing Jesus and making Him known among the nations look in the current context of COVID-19? I challenge you to take some time to prayerfully and thoughtfully consider the opportunities God has given you to do just that in this season.

Written by a GFM Richmond Staff Member