By David Phillips
Its Wednesday, “hump day” as we say around the workplace; but I already feel an empty spot in my routine for today, because I’m not able to anticipate meeting together with brothers and sisters tonight for Bible Study. However, I have a feeling that we’re on the way out of this quarantine/isolation business. No hard evidence yet, though the President did say yesterday that he wants the country back to business as usual by April 12. At least someone has been bold enough to put a possible date on it. So let me give you some things to think about here at the midweek point.
I recently read an article by Scott Kelly, a retired astronaut who spent almost a year on the International Space Station. Now, that’s a pretty isolated existence. Mr. Kelly has written about the experience, and gave a few tips on how to handle living in isolation. I’ll borrow a few of them and try to give them a spiritual “spin”.
- Follow a schedule. This is pretty good advice for any time, but especially when so much of what we normally (go and) do has been restricted. Relaxation is profitable to an extent, but morphing into a full-time couch potato makes for a miserable time. Set a time to get up, and a time to go to bed, and certain markers throughout the day for certain activities that you can Put some meaningful, beneficial things into that schedule. Since our most well-worn excuse for not reading the Bible and praying more is the lack of available time, now’s the perfect opportunity to observe a daily event in that regard.
- Go outside. Kelly said one of the things he missed most while living in space was being able to go outside and experience nature. That’s probably something most of us take for granted, especially in our somewhat rural surroundings. But it is a fact that there is therapeutic value in sunshine and fresh air, and I’d imagine we would all benefit from noticing afresh that the heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork (Psalm 19:1).
- Keep a journal. Calm down, that’s just a suggestion, but hear me out. Some of us may not be particularly inclined to write a book, but this is a very historic occasion. I promise you that if permitted to live beyond this event, we will look back on it from down the road and find benefit in recalling the details of how it unfolded. People of every age and demographic will reminisce years from now, “Remember back in 2020 when…” God’s word encourages self-contemplation with instruction like consider your ways… (Haggai 1:5); Examine yourselves… (2 Cor.13:5). This definitely includes looking back and evaluating what happened and how we dealt with it. Writing some of this down will help.
- Listen to experts. Rarely is the news media a good source for reliable information, especially in times like this. Social media can even be worse. But if details on the ongoing saga of the COVID-19 pandemic is important to you, go to some reliable sources like the Centers for Disease Control or Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. But if you’re not into digging out medical details, how about some research into some good Bible topics. That same computer or mobile device that can hook you up with Facebook can bring in good sources like Gospel Broadcasting Network, Apologetics Press, Christian Courier, Study Light, and on and on. Polish up on your spiritual knowledge and put 2 Peter 3:18 into practice: But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Don’t let isolation get to you; turn it into a tool, an adventure, a memorable event that can actually help make you stronger as a Christian. And remember, the numbers are already bearing out the fact that the very best place in all the world to have to ride out something like this is in the good ole USA! And nobody, but nobody can have a better perspective on hardship and difficulty in this life than a faithful child of God.