It might sound somewhat distasteful of me to praise the virus for the good that it might bring. So know that I am not saying that the virus itself is good, simply that
(Rom 8:28 NET) "And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, ". So I guess, I am just taking the time to look at this mess we are in, without getting sucked into some kind of end-of-times panic or depression and instead looking for something we can appreciate.
I had a bit of trouble getting out of bed this morning. I woke up and was like - what's the point, it's not like I have any plans that weren't cancelled. - so yeah, I was in a bit of a mood. Thankfully, my family came to the rescue unknowingly.
My father was sent down to get groceries for the weekend and came back with the most bizarre story. You see, the 15th of March is a national holiday so shops are to be closed. There is a tendency for people buying more than usual before holidays as if they were afraid that they would starve to death or something in one day. Now, today is a day before a holiday and also the Coronavirus is around so by the time my father got around to do the shopping, all the manic amassing of necessities for the coming "zombie apocalypse" was over and my Dad stepped into a mostly empty store and saw a few others looking at empty shelves, smiling with an expression of dumbfounded disbelief. I found it so funny. It must be a cultural thing. Laughing at stuff that is out of our control.
It seems Hungary is starting to implement stricter regulations. Schools and gatherings over 100 people are cancelled for now. There are talks about education continuing in distance learning and a lot of people see this time as an opportunity to revisit stale policies and to renew the old system. It is the 21st century and we do have the necessary technology after all. My parents were also sent to home-office. They were a few problems at first with the VPN not meant for their increased numbers but the IT department saved the day. We joked about how people could just connect through MMORPGs like WoW. Just imagine trying to teach a class in Goldshire. Virtual classrooms and home-office would have substantial benefits. Less time wasted on the daily commute, fewer vehicles on the streets. As the virus is forcing us to stay put we have no choice but to develop better ways and new practices I think we might find the tranquillity of not running around constantly quite to our liking.
Although the government left it up to the churches to decide whether or not to congregate. Our church saw it best to stay safe for now. Not that we are scared of without faith but it would not be wise to incite public animosity through reckless actions. The pastor gave the teaching online live which was great. The verse he started on was: (Psa 42:1-5 NET) 1 As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God! 2 I thirst for God, for the living God. I say, “When will I be able to go and appear in God’s presence?” 3 I cannot eat, I weep day and night; all day long they say to me, “Where is your God?” 4 I will remember and weep! For I was once walking along with the great throng to the temple of God, shouting and giving thanks along with the crowd as we celebrated the holy festival. 5 Why are you depressed, O my soul? Why are you upset? Wait for God! For I will again give thanks to my God for his saving intervention.
So, we might not be able to worship together as we are used to. Our job now is to pray, read the Bible a bunch and wait for God and his saving intervention.
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