We hesitated doing an article on Covid as the subject is so overdone and constantly surrounding us. But as we near the end of the latest wave of the Omicron variant (as of early February 2022), we thought it would be good to highlight some of things happening in the public discourse around this disease. It’s obvious how this issue has continued to divide people on so many levels, especially with our ever-present tendency to form ourselves around tribes of people who think and act the same way as us. But in the midst of this, we believe God is still up to amazing things, especially within the human heart.

First of all, while some may disagree with the implications of the following: Truth is equally as important as grace (John 1:17). The premier agenda on God’s heart is to awaken His sons and daughters to a level of maturity that manifests both realities (see Romans 8:29-30).

Another way to say this (if you’re missing the offensive point), is that being right is not a greater virtue than being relationally and emotionally healthy. Rightness . . . justice . . . truth . . . these things burn in our hearts, especially in those who are believers in the One who came to bring these realities to earth. But He is also the One who taught us how to forgive, love, and connect with those who are on a totally different wavelength than us. He came to break down tribalism and form one new tribe of international union around His shed blood: the banner of unimaginable mercy and forgiveness.

With all that in mind, we recently came across an immensely popular sports podcast which has traditionally leaned in what some would call a “liberal” direction, especially in regard to Covid. But in their first podcast of the year, there was some new humility expressed by the host who said that this issue is more complicated than imagined. There are nuances and areas where we need to learn and grow through. Here’s the link if you’re interested.

There are many examples of these complicated nuances that require mature dialogue and patience. There are vulnerable people who need to be protected. There are unforeseen dangers in mandates that shut down schools and other places of interconnectivity. There are schools that shouldn’t have been shut down, and yet many may have needed a major wrench thrown into an already failing system. Not all of the mandates are necessarily bad. Some churches needed to be closed to have a wake-up call to the true meaning of the Kingdom of God.

Of course, the previous paragraph is written mostly to those who may see the mandates as bad. There are those who see them as deeply beneficial and what is absolutely needed to stop the spread of something dangerous. We could go on with the back and forth opinions and dialogue, but this article is simply meant to be a reminder that relationship and rightness are meant to be glorious dancing partners . . . and a lot of the church is greatly unbalanced here.

But thank God, He is working out all things for good. There is a higher perspective that requires the same humility shown on that podcast, which He is developing in us! This humility brings us to a place where we can pause from our blaring complaints about the media and politics and enter into silence, asking God for the wisdom that is first of all pure, then peaceable and considerate. Yes, that’s a Bible verse. Take it off the shelf and check it out. Then maybe go in the dressing room and try it on. See how it fits. Then . . . ask Jesus for His free credit card and go purchase it, eh?