There are two things that somehow have found their way into every conversation recently. The first is the upcoming election and the second is the Coronavirus. The first is riddled with anxiety and fear of the future from every side and no matter which candidate you support. The second also seems to be creating anxiety about the unknown and fear of death.
Personally, I wish God told me who would be the best next president and I would shout it from the rooftop (unfortunately He hasn’t). Instead, I can pray God will do amazing things through whichever candidate serves the United States for the next four years.
And I wish there was a cure for the coronavirus already, but there isn’t. I pray that God will be with the doctors, nurses, and researchers who are working with those infected to find a cure.
What is interesting is that I hear the same fears and anxieties described at the border when we visited individuals seeking asylum in the United States. The fear of returning to homes that were not safe. The fears of the cartels watching all the volunteers and mission partners helping the vulnerable people. And the anxiety that goes with each person as they hold each other’s trauma stories.
Pastor Luc and Ronide also tell stories of fear during the recent challenges in Haiti. Fears of gangs that are kidnaping children on their way to school. Starvation and struggle that left parents and children anxious about their future.
All of these fears and anxieties are difficult and hard to understand. Each experience that you or I have is real.
But when I asked our mission partners at the border how they live in the midst of this fear, they said. “Jesus calls us to live in a world of grace and truth-telling. We must live in this world.”
When I asked Pastor Luc what he says to individuals who are afraid and worried. He says, “I tell them to find a friend in Jesus. He will guide the way.”
We face this huge fear of illness of our loved ones and ourselves. And anxiety about the future of our country. Fear. It so easily can take control of us. What I have learned with our mission partners who live in difficult places is that when we let fear control us, we forget that God has already won.
Jesus has already died, rose and lives in us and with us. Jesus is the one who provides hope to the hopeless, grace to those needing forgiveness, wisdom to doctors and nurses, truth to leaders, and peace which surpasses all understanding.
There is always something to fear and the coronavirus is scary. The presidential candidates are still human and aren’t perfect. But do they win over Jesus? No.
I invite you to rest in Jesus. Wash your hands, continue to be aware and trust in Jesus.
