For Such a Time as This
“The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity.” -Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses undoubtedly faced “dark hours” as a general for the Union during the Civil War, but it seems as though he unearthed a golden truth in this epic quote already written in our precious scriptures. Proverbs 17:17 states, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Although we are not engaged in a physical war, we too have the opportunity in the adversity and darkness of this global pandemic to “relieve the gloom” of others as well as to “cherish” Jesus Christ, our families, our friends, and VCS.
Unsurprisingly, many of us are experiencing loss and anxiety at unprecedented levels during this time, and the acts of cherishing Christ and also using our gifts to relieve the gloom of those around us seems unattainable. Some of us are facing unemployment. Some have a family member sick in the hospital and aren’t allowed to visit. Some are struggling with depression or a fragile marriage. And many of us are adjusting to the loss of the routines and schedules we worked so hard to build for ourselves, our families and others, throughout the week. So how do we as VCS parents, co-teachers, and more importantly, beloved sons and daughters of the living God, grieve these losses properly but keep going? How do we begin to strengthen what remains from this great upheaval and still live the gospel by relieving the gloom of others? How do we be the friend and parent “born for a time of adversity?” Here are a few things I have been meditating over that I have found helpful as it relates to our new normal in the areas of homeschooling, parenting, and our gospel mission in this hour.
Recognize and trust in the sovereignty and grace of the Father in our present situation.
I cannot cherish what God has given me and stay present in the “now,” neither can I properly relieve the gloom of others until I recognize that my Heavenly Father has been working for my good, my family’s good, and His glory, in all things. God even saw fit to meet my family’s need in this pandemic by providing VCS this school year. All our needs differ, but for my family and I to “just keep swimming,” as stated by our favorite fish, Dori, in the brilliant film Finding Nemo, God anticipated we would need A LOT of help. We would need the lesson plans, the co-teacher accountability, the models and leaders to go before us in these murky waters, and most importantly, the unceasing prayer of the board, teachers, families, and on-campus staff coordinators.
Over the past month, I have been encouraged again and again by the VCS community: uplifting emails from co-teachers, a surprise letter in the mail to my kids, the teachers’ incredible patience with us during online learning sessions, and much more. Every time VCS sent us an uplifting verse to memorize, a hymn to sing, or an educational Bible video I was filled with awe and gratitude. Because of the tremendous effort and support from our VCS staff, I have been able to cherish Christ, who has proven time and time again that He is good and that He cares for us. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). He anticipates and meets our needs. “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (Matt. 6:31-32). A greater trust in and friendship with Christ indeed has arisen from this season as He relieves our gloom through His provision of VCS.
Be willing to be “born” a friend for a time of adversity. Be willing to be cherished for the sake of the gospel.
We all have different tendencies in trials and tribulations. Some of us run away from conflict and problems. Some of us are unresponsive and apathetic in difficult times. Some of us overcompensate, not knowing how to rest. We work from our own strength rather than clinging to God. No matter where you may find yourself, there is always opportunity to arise from the dust of our sinful natures and be “born” for such a time as this! The Apostle Paul, despite imprisonment, weeks on stormy seas, starvation, isolation from his spiritual community, and surrounded by hundreds of other prisoners, was able to step up by the power of the Holy Spirit to speak truth, and remember our Lord by breaking bread with the prisoners and feeding them at sea. He became so deeply favored and cherished by the Roman centurions that they ended up sparing the lives of all the prisoners on the ship because of Paul’s influence (Acts 27). Paul positioned himself to be cherished for the sake of the gospel. He wasn’t focused on what was behind him or his “losses.” He considered it all “rubbish” for the sake of knowing Christ (Phil. 3:8). Neither did he allow the lies of the enemy to make him apathetic to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those around him, even while he was in chains. God is giving us an opportunity, like Paul, to suffer with others and be cherished for the sake of the gospel.
There is something about suffering with others that creates a bond to cherish. God is opening doors for our children to cherish one another and their parents, and for parents to cherish their children in return. God is opening a door for us and our children to be “born” as friends in adversity for others right now. Are we willing to step through that door? We are surrounded by opportunities. Have a Zoom call with your class. Have your children send hand-written letters to classmates or teachers. Your family can spend precious time reading, praying, playing, and singing together. And I personally want to thank the co-teachers that have offered to help me homeschool or set up zoom meetings for our children to chat and play games. These are just a few examples of ways we can love and cherish one another as a VCS family in this difficult time.
Furthermore, God is giving many of us ideas and open doors to be “born a friend” in this hour with those who do not know Him, are outside the community of VCS, or are simply our next door neighbors. I am asking God to help my children and I be “born” in this hour of adversity, and to use us to help relieve the gloom others are facing; to make ourselves cherishable. I have found that in order to make ourselves more cherishable, I have to continue to view my work in the home as holy, sacred, and important. As I prepare for the week of homeschool, plan ahead with meals, and stay focused on the “little things,” the ambiguity of how to reach and love others outside of the home, under the current pandemic orders, becomes more clear and possible.
This time is challenging. There is no minimizing that fact. May we as a VCS family, by the power of the Spirit, be “born” for a time of adversity, grow in our trust of the Father, and relieve the gloom of others by helping to foster an environment at home and around us that creates more moments of cherishing this precious time with our spouses, children, family, friends, and those who do not know Him as we are together apart.