I do a lot of thinking while I am driving. I tend to come up with my most creative ideas while I am driving and in the solitude of my car, I also find a lot of connection with God. But now that we can’t drive anywhere, I have found that I am slipping into that soft receptive spot as I am going about walking my dogs, making beds, and unloading the dishwasher.
So, if you know me, you know that I have been prompted to look for God and His Goodness in ordinary everyday moments. It’s been a rewarding quest and I have found that wherever I am looking, there are clues that point me to God. Clues, not coincidences, because God doesn’t operate in coincidences. Irony, yes! But never coincidence. So, when I see what coincidental circumstances could be, it often leads me down a rabbit hole looking for God’s fingerprints. I have found His fingerprints all over this time we are in.
Believe it or not, as I was reading a New York Times article about the anatomy and mechanics of this wretched Coronavirus, I couldn’t believe the clues I was seeing about this microscopic villain. I found irony in the virus the enemy is using for evil and how it relates to our Good God.
Spikes
First, the corona virus has “crown-like spikes” protruding from its surface. These crowned spikes attach to a human or animal cell and hang on quite effectively.
The description of “crown-like spikes” made me think of how our Savior also had a crown. A crown of smaller spikes-thorns. While the virus uses its crown to create a deadly attachment, Jesus wore His crown of thorns to provide liberation and release from a life spent in separation from God.
Splits
The virus, once attached to a cell, uses its armatures to split the outer wall of the host and enter forcefully. Ripping open and taking over, it leaves no choice. It’s an invasion that leads to destruction.
Jesus, our Savior, splits open our heart and holds out an invitation for us to believe He is the Son of God. An invitation that leads to salvation.
Steals
Once inside the human body, the virus steals the breath from its victims by causing their lungs to become obstructed with fluid and dying cells. In essence, the victim can potentially suffocate.
Ironically, mankind is the only creation to have received the breath of our Creator. Genesis 2:7 says, “And the Lord God….breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” A coincidence? I don’t believe it is. Since Creation, the enemy of our souls has been jealous of our being made in the image of God, and of the close relationship He designed us to have with Him. Is it a coincidence or a clue that this weapon comes to steal the glorious exhalation of our Maker that gives us life and connection to Him? Indeed, every time we exhale and inhale, we can bring our minds to His Presence in our breath…Yahweh. It even sounds like a breath, doesn’t it?
Still not buying my interesting analysis of the non-coincidental ironies that abound in this present circumstance? Check out the clues in the “cure” for the virus.
Silence
This deadly threat has forced us all into sequestration, holed up in our homes with only our families around, if we are blessed enough to be sheltering together. Forced us into stillness.
What does our Abba Father have to say about this? Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). Look for me everywhere and you will find me (Jeremiah 29:13).
We know that our Good, Good Father works in our stillness, contemplation and prayers. While we have all been so busy in this age of screen time and information overload, our Abba has gently held out the power of being still. He invites us to draw near to Him, and promises to draw near to us when we do. And we know that what the enemy means for harm, God will use for good (Genesis 50:20).
He is using this all for good, if you dare to trust and accept the invitation.
It is in the amazingly and intricately woven irony that God has always gotten the attention of those who look for Him and this, my sweet friends, is no coincidence. Since we have this extra time and quiet on our hands, know that you have officially been invited to draw near to one another and to our Good Shepherd, who loves us with an everlasting love, and who will always give us clues to help us find Him.
He is hidden for us, not from us. Another irony!
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