Church in the Chaos

Klaus Schwab writes in his book Covid-19: The Great Reset, “The chaos of the coronavirus pandemic represents the perfect opportunity to accelerate the entire world towards a ‘new normal.’ '' While the world elites plan to “Build Back Better” with this “new normal,” Jesus Christ continues to execute his eternal plan to build his church (Matthew 16:18) in the midst of the chaos.

We, the people of God, must set our eyes above. We must look to Christ, who is seated above the chaos. The sinister plans of men working disorder end up working out for the good of those who love our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:28). When earthly rulers take counsel together against the anointed King of the nations, he sits in heaven and laughs (Psalm 2:4). Christ, the Head, is bringing all rulers under his feet for the good of his church (Ephesians 1:22-23).

We, of all people in the world, have a Rock to stand on and an Anchor to hold us. The disorder and confusion should drive us back into a deeper, more permanent trust in Christ. When everything that we once knew as normal changes, we have a God who never changes (Malachi 3:6). The world, searching for constancy, need look no further than to the one who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

We have two options as a church when we face chaos. We can retreat and isolate in a self-protective and self-preserving “new normal,” or we can go out into the world to shine the light of Christ in the darkness (Matthew 5:14) and bring the hope of Christ to the hopeless (Ephesians 2:12).

While a climate of chaos is often exploited by the wicked, the church must work with Christ in seizing the opportunity to minister to people with growing needs. A local church will not have the resources to meet every need, but it has the heart of Christ who loves people in need. His love compels the church to live for others and not only herself (2 Corinthians 5:14).

This is the opportune time for the church to welcome the disenfranchised and battered people near and far to find their refuge in Christ amid the chaos. The words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty from the poem “New Colossus” could be ours: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free... “ The church preaching Christ crucified heralds the message of true rest and liberty.

Arise, church!  Yes, there is chaos, but we have good news to tell. The king is here, and he is here to reign.