We are writing to say Blessed Resurrection Day to you and your family.
Ingrid and I are experiencing the social boundaries that most of you, if not all of you, are as well.
Perhaps you have read the writing of C.S. Lewis regarding the emerging of the atomic bomb. His words are a reminder for us now – 72 years later that the threat of death by the COVID-19 is serious, but no novel. It’s an encouragement for us not to panic. Not to allow fear to dominate our minds and paralyze our hearts but rather keep living and laughing and serving and enjoying those we love even under restrictions and limitations. We can because the Lord is on the throne, we can be free from fear and find peace in Him. These are the words of C.S. Lewis, replace “atomic bomb” with COVID-19.”
“In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb. ‘How are we to live in an atomic age?’ I am tempted to reply: ‘Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents.’
In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation. Believe me, dear sir or madam, you and all whom you love were already sentenced to death before the atomic bomb was invented: and quite a high percentage of us were going to die in unpleasant ways. We had, indeed, one very great advantage over our ancestors—anesthetics; but we have that still. It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty.
This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.”
C.S. Lewis
“On Living in an Atomic Age” (1948)
in Present Concerns: Journalistic Essays
These are encouraging words and hold a perspective true to scripture. Perhaps you will find them helpful.
As Ingrid and I have chosen to live proactively in the midst of uncertainty. We are seeking to stay involved in ministry and celebrate the Easter Event by reading scripture daily, tracking the last week in the life of Christ, praying for a host of folks with special needs (family, friends, and ministries), doing drive-by visits or dropping small gifts on doorsteps, staying in touch with family via technology, writing articles, engaging coaching commitments and opportunities, and continuing missions focused academic work through Liberty University online.
This morning, the day before Easter, the sunrise was beautiful, alone time with the Lord was meaningful, and we look forward to various types of worship opportunities tomorrow.
As you may know Ravi Zacharias is fighting cancer. He writes from his hospital bed:
“I’ve been lying in my bed thinking how much the physical world reflects spiritual truths. Cancer is literally one rogue cell that begins to replicate itself, bringing death closer each day and overtaking a genuine, life-giving cell. It’s amazing how this reflects the story of the fall in Genesis, when the Enemy of our souls caused Adam and Eve to question God: ‘Has God really spoken?’ Instead of choosing the life-giving breath of God, they allowed the rogue cell of disobedience and self-determination to overtake and metastasize in all of humanity ... Sin is the rogue cancer cell within us, but the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus turned the tide in favor of God’s created order...The answer lies in the radiating Son of God who deals with the death cell of disobedience and restores the living cell. How sublime a truth! What a message of hope!”
This is the heart of Easter- resurrected hope for us all! This is what we celebrate!
As ministry partners and contributors, we want to thank you for your prayer and financial support that enables us to continue to walk alongside 12 mission partnerships in 7 different countries. They are each doing incredible work and holding steady amid the limitations and uncertainties. Your involvement with Global Missions 365 is making a defining difference in their lives, their work, and the lives of those they serve.
Thank you for ALL that you continue to do for His Glory!
Have a joy-filled Resurrection Day!
With love and prayer,
Gary & Ingrid Crawford
and the Global Missions 365 Team