Celebrating in the Midst of Crisis

The CoronaVirus has put the majority of the world in isolation. As this virus seems to currently rule our world, we draw near to those inside our current quarters (willingly or unwillingly), quarantined like animals in a zoo. Life is awkward. And we determine the best steps to live, work, play as well as cope with being a shut-in. The joyous celebrations pre-COVID-19 are lamentably pushed to the “Not Right Now” category. Other pressing conversations take over our conscience. Despite a global crisis, life continues as those with jobs, kids, and families forge ahead. But sometimes the progression needs to include celebrating.

What is there to celebrate as we face an undefeated pandemic?

The longer we stay isolated, the more events on the calendar are deleted that were once sources of hope. Getting together with friends Friday. Delete. Going to Nana’s house Wednesday. Delete. Taking pictures for Baby Boy’s One Year birthday on Saturday. Delete. In fact, delete Baby Boy’s One Year birthday party entirely. What??

The beginning of this calendar year 2020 was business as usual. I was busy getting details together for Baby Boy’s First Birthday. But as his April birthday drew closer, the news of the Coronavirus became more and more intense. Suddenly a national emergency called us first to social distance ourselves from everyone. And then, in some cases, completely lockdown and shelter in place from the rest of the world.

On a small scale, celebrating Baby Boy’s birthday without grandparents, family, and friends has become a slow and steady let-down. On a larger scale, the news continues to thrive on the fear of its citizens. Headlines are written that make our heads spin while also inundating our minds with pandemic and political conflict.

Time doesn’t stand still and Baby Boy’s first birthday will come and go… properly celebrated or not. Yet our hearts can’t flourish and celebrate when fearful questions loom over us like dark, menacing clouds on a lovely beach day. How long can we go about our “normal” days while continuing to social distance ourselves from our loved ones? How long will the news portray numbers of people as statistics either infected or dead? How long can our world (financially, physically, spiritually) sustain this pandemic? 

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” 

Psalm 13:1

How do we celebrate in a national state of emergency?

Even as we face this pandemic, celebrating should not cease. In fact, it CANNOT cease. Sound crazy? Hear me out. We have a God who welcomes our questions. But we can’t lose sight of who God is as we pray for answers.

In Psalm 13, David begs God for answers. He almost gives God an ultimatum by saying, “Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;…” (Psalm 13:3). David even asks why God is turning His face away from David at such a time as this. I get it, David. Sometimes it feels like I am doing all the talking, worrying, strategizing while waiting on God to move. Hey God, are you even listening?

When asking the tough questions and trying to find the right answers, we get stuck in a cycle. A perpetual cycle of:

looking outward to the horrific news,

inward to think we can answer the questions by ourselves,

and upward to blame God for all the bad that is happening.

And that cycle continues when our fears are unearthed and we feel forgotten.

But…

the celebration comes in the remembrance of who God is. 

Even while asking “How long?” David reminds himself of the character of God.

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.”

Psalm 13:5-6

Choosing to trust in God’s bottomless, eternal, inexhaustible, steadfast, dependable love is our complete satisfaction. In fact, it’s a lot more satisfying than depending on an entity like the news that does not know me nor has my best interest at heart.

When I trust in this unfailing love, my soul can unload the burden of trying to answer questions I was never made to answer. And as I remember that in every difficult situation God has been so good to me, my heart soars and sings. Does it immediately fix this current situation? No. But I know God hasn’t forgotten me or our world. This situation is a chance for me to challenge and wrestle my faith while trusting that God is good to complete what He started.

Just as Christmas helped me understand that expectations and reality are not always synonymous, Baby Boy turning one will be another milestone that is dwarfed by sickness. But this doesn’t mean his life (and our accomplishment as first-time parents) is not to be celebrated. We will celebrate all we have learned, struggled with, and can now laugh about (because we need to laugh). Thank you, Lord, that even when we fail, your love never does. And that is something worth celebrating!

Next Steps:

How long? you might ask. We don’t know. We have no idea how long we will be in our current situation. Instead of focusing on and worrying about how long, let’s focus on what we can actually do in the waiting–resting, studying, singing, celebrating, etc. A song by U2 (my husband’s favorite band, he wants you to know 😉 reminds me that even while we are asking “How long?” we can continue singing because of what Jesus has done for us. Just keep singing, celebrating, and reminding yourself of God’s unfailing love. Sing a new song, friend.