Being peacemakers during an unusual Easter season
By James Hammack
The Alabama Baptist
We are at a unique crisis point. A pandemic has affected almost every way of life, including the gathering of the body. As if adding insult to injury, one of the most celebrated Sundays of the liturgical year also is affected.
What will Easter look like in the throes of COVID-19?
As Alabama Baptists, we have been issued an order from the state government that prohibits nonessential businesses from operating and places restrictions on gathering in numbers greater than 10.
But surely churches aren’t to be seen as nonessential, are they?
What if we are looking at this the wrong way? What if we aren’t asking the right question?
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9).
The world is missing out, and we have a wonderful opportunity to bring peace into an otherwise chaotic daily existence where fear and uncertainty abound.
Did COVID-19 surprise God?
Of course not. Quite the opposite is true. God is in control, delivering peace to and through His people.
If there is a time for God’s people to choose the road of peace and tranquility, this is it.
Let us not be like the disciples worried about the storm. Instead, let us show that we know Who is in the boat with us — the One through whom all creation bows: Jesus.
Sometimes He calms the wind and waves for His people. Other times, He gives us strength to weather the shipwreck like He did for Paul.
So, what now?
We have instruction from the Word to live peaceably with all men, if possible. We have been commanded to love our neighbors. We have been given imperatives to submit to governing authorities as long as we obey God’s law first and foremost. These are our dictating truths.
This is the tough spot where it’s very easy for defensive walls to rise. Let me encourage you before we continue. Jesus said the Church will prevail and the gates of hell cannot prevail against us. The coronavirus has no chance.
The government has viewed churches as small, nonprofit businesses for years. This means the building most likely qualifies as nonessential.
As we know, this does not mean church is nonessential, it just means that this particular method of meeting is nonessential in the view of our world.
And this isn’t aimed to persecute the church. Other organizations where extended gathering and contact is normative also are deemed nonessential. We know we can expect persecution according to Jesus’ words. But I don’t think we can describe this particular move as persecution.
While the pull to be physically present in some manner is strong, especially at Easter, this time of distance ought to be producing a longing for the gathered worship. We ought to miss the gathered Communion, baptisms, greetings, singing, preaching and works of the Spirit.
The online version of church is a poor substitute for the gathered body. Yes, our homebound members can be blessed when we provide ways for them to join in through online methods, but the routine when possible ought to be that physical gathering.
Continue longing for the day when we can return to the building and worship in person. Speak about it out loud to one another and post it on social media.
But in an effort to show the world the peace of God and be properly submissive to our governing authorities, we can work to make the most of Easter from afar.
We can bemoan our afar-ness in positive, Christ exalting ways that build up instead of tear down. And we can throw the biggest block parties when we weather this storm and come out on the other side.
Let’s usher in peace, by living out the peace that God has given us through Christ our Savior.
EDITOR’S NOTE — James Hammack is TAB’s digital services manager and serves on the pastoral team and in worship leadership at HisWay Community Church, Prattville.
Help others during crisis
As committed Christ followers, we can use our influence to make a positive impact on the Kingdom during this crisis.
Here are five practical ways we can be the hands and feet of Jesus. Christ will do the miraculous in our midst if we allow Him to use us for His glory.
1. Share God’s peace. Be people of peace sharing the love of Christ everywhere in your community as you are able to get out and about safely.
2. Minister to the elderly. Create a system to reach out by phone daily to make sure they are okay and have what they need.
3. Consider creating a community prayer line. Offer to pray for [neighbors and friends] and to pray with them.
4. Know where to find assistance in your community. Reach out to a helping professional — a social worker, nurse or teacher, for example. Ask them about needs in your community and services offered so you can help and encourage others. Be familiar with the resources in your community.
5. Tell of God’s transforming power. Take every opportunity to share the gospel so people may come to saving faith in Christ.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Sandy Wisdom-Martin is executive director of national Woman’s Missionary Union.
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Letters to the Editor
I am unable to go to church right now (81 years old and have had surgery), but you are doing a fantastic job with The Alabama Baptist newspaper. I have been taking the paper for years but enjoy it more than ever. Thanks for all you do.
Gerri Basic
Pelham, Ala.
Thank you for including the article, “Coronavirus Christianity,” in the March 26 issue of TAB. This article provided us with three specific ways Christians may involve themselves to serve in a crisis environment. I encourage you to continue such timely articles by prominent authors.
My other favorite part of the paper is Theology 101. Baptist believers need to be strengthened in both doctrinal truths as well as current information relevant to living out our Christian faith.
Thank you for TAB.
JoAnn McKay
Headland, Ala.
Praying for you guys as God continues to give us new ways to communicate hope to fellow believers!
Caris Snider
Cullman, Ala.
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“What if God has placed us in our homes and away from our churches, our work, our schools and our relationships in order to open our eyes to His love toward us?”
Kevin Blackwell
Disciplemaking and teaching pastor at The Station Church, Birmingham
It is startling that Jesus did not go to the temple to present Himself alive from the dead. Instead, Jesus chose unremarkable places to show up: a common garden path, a quiet hillside, breaking bread at a dinner table and eating breakfast in a home.
We only really know the resurrected presence of Jesus if we find Him in the daily places and moments of life. If Jesus is only real to us when gathered in a hushed worship center with grand music and words from Scripture, then we may be more in love with thoughts about Jesus than with Jesus Himself.
Bob Adams
Retired pastor
I would like all of God’s people to come together at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day to pray for the healing of our country and to rid us of this virus.
Harold Whitt
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
If you are really angry, consider taking a break from social media and TV news. Walk down a country road; see the new blooms that represent spring, a season of renewal and hope. Go fishing. Watch a “Three Stooges” episode or a cat video on YouTube. Sometimes adults just need to be silly and laugh. We are losing that ability.
These times are hard for many. Loss of work and layoffs are already hitting people hard. But these days will pass.
Our character is determined by how we handle the challenging times. Consider kindness, empathy and compassion this week. Yes, I sure need to hear that and maybe you do too.
James Spann
via Facebook
In times of chaos, it is more important than ever to stop for a moment to say thanks.
So thanks, first of all to all health care professionals, many of them Samford graduates, nearby and far away giving and giving and giving at their own personal risk. A thousand thanks to millions of people. We will always remember you and always, always with thanks.
President Andrew Westmoreland
Samford University
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From the Twitterverse
@philipnation
Don’t just invite a neighbor to an Easter service. Invite them into a lifelong friendship.
@alsbom
Need someone to talk to or pray with? Call 1-877-4-AL-PRAY (1-877-425-7729) and an Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief chaplain or state missionary will be there for you.
@LifeWay
“Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
— Romans 12:10 @CSBible
@JimGandy5
It would be so easy in times like these to look at the storm around us and like Peter start to sink. In times when we are spiritually called on to walk on water, our only chance is not to take our eyes off Jesus.
@bcmlink
Praise Report! An international student at the University of Alabama at Huntsville has accepted Christ and is working through how to share this news with their family. Please be in prayer for this student and others who desire to share this life-changing decision.
#ReachEveryStudent
@HayleyCatt
Kids are not being placed in #fostercare because social worker visits are not happening and teachers are not able to report abuse. Pray for God to protect and provide for kids in dangerous and neglectful situations who don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel.
@EdLitton
The image of Himself that Jesus left with His disciples was the image of Him risen, ascended, seated in glory, ruling sovereign, reigning in power and glory forever and ever. All images bow to this one.
@BethMooreLPM
Let’s not assume every ask is an attack. … Let’s take it a little easier on one another. The meanness on Twitter takes a legit toll on the soul.
@LeadwithJames
I am reminded this morning that #COVID-19 is giving us an opportunity to reset, relearn and renew our lives. I will not waste the moment. #Momentsmatter
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