Coronavirus; the World’s Latest Nightmare

A friend of mine recently went on a mission trip with her mother. They usually visit remote and dangerous islands with the gospel and gifts. On every trip, they must travel on a small open boat. In one of their trips, they had a 6-month baby on board and ran into bad weather. They were soaked by the pouring rain. My friend sacrificed her raincoat to wrap the baby. Due to this exposure, she needed to get medical treatment for cold and cough. However, the remnant of the cough decided to travel with her as she boarded the plane back home.

As my friend settled down in the plane, full of joy for the work done and the joy of returning to her ever-supportive husband, her cough let loose. My friend told me “Margaret, you need to see how people sitting in my row picked race”. Unfortunately, they couldn’t run past the tail end of the plane. My friend said, “Margaret, I had the whole row to myself”. An unsolicited, royal and free first-class treatment right in the economy class! My friend was able to stretch herself on the abandoned seats undisturbed. It wasn’t until the plane landed that she saw people wearing all kinds of facial masks and realized why her fellow passengers had willingly sacrificed their seats. She was gone for 2 months and was deeply buried in the Master’s business.

Why is the whole world suspicious and in panic? It’s because humanity is in danger of the coronavirus pandemic. It must have started with just one virus whose epidemic nature quickly grew into pandemic panic: prompting the world to declare war against this unseen culprit, a species of Coronavirus.

Within a short period, the virus became more significant than any Nexus global traveler. It travels without visa or ticket and respects no country’s customs border. It deprives scientists of sleep and floods men’s heart with fear of uncertainty. No wonder the whole world is so afraid and busy getting ready for the “World War V (virus)”.

This reminds me of the historical plagues ancient Egypt had to deal with due to their wickedness and Godlessness. I couldn’t help but remember a preacher stressing the point that it is only God who can restore order in this chaotic world. Unfortunately, the prince of this World has blinded the eyes of many, keeping them as wanderers in the World. Something must keep the drifted world busy.

This is another wake-up call. It is time to awake from our slumber and give attention to things that truly count. It is time to seek God and His righteousness. It is time to hold tight to the Master of life. Time is running out. Expiration day is drawing closer faster than usual. We are helpless without the God. We cannot be so indifferent to the point of forgetting the origin of life and the Power behind it. 

A God-fearing pilot recently got me thinking. He said in our conversations, quoting from someone that “no one will escape this earth alive”. It honestly sank deeper into my heart. Not even a pilot would be able to run away on his plane alive. Then what is the purpose of life? What is worth living for? What is the counsel of the scripture on this?

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Does this mean we should all abandon our secular duties and simply face God? I don’t think so. Part of God’s commandment is to be responsible and live a complete and fulfilled life, in the fear of God and obedience to His words.

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” 2 Peter 1:3-4 (KJV)

2Peter 1:3-4

Akinloye, O. Margaret