CRYSTAL CLEAR

When you realize how fragile life is, 
It all becomes crystal clear:
You are not in control.
It's really not yours to own. 

Though you fight, scream, claw, beg.
Even if you will it, pay to prolong it. 
In a snap, just like that, 
Bleep flattens, breath sits still.  
Once alive, now a corpse.
So true, we're dust to dust!

You may be the healthiest hunk.
The most gorgeous babe.
The busiest bee alive.
Smartest, richest, most disruptive problem-buster.
Even the most compassionate, heroic, ever serving dude.
Yet with a sneeze or a drool or a touch
Succumb! 
To a good-for-nothing infuriating virus.

Yes, a virus! 
Lowliest of the lowliest 
In the totem pole of pestilences.
Microbial yet deadly and deadlier still.
Sneezed, inhaled, touched, transferred 
From one unsuspecting human to another.

We who once thought ourselves masters of our fate,
Now at a loss for answers. 
Mighty, in control, able---now locking horns 
With a rampaging, conquering,
Knee-bending, microscopic beast.

But now we finally see it, 
As we hunker down, 
Gnaw at our fingernails
To wait wait wait wait,
Life is not what or how we perceive it.

We've never owned it.
We're someone else's!
The one who formed dust
And breathed upon it breath,
He gives and takes away. 

Yet see it all His way, 
Be amazed and be at ease.
At peace, comforted.
Because your Owner:
He's Creator, Master, Lord over all.
His name is Jesus Christ, Savior! 
Call Him, embrace Him, 
Trust Him with your very will and live!
He will respond.

Because He's not man that He should lie. 

He's the only Name
With power to reverse 
Our downward deadly course.
Make our feet stand on solid ground.
Unlike the slimy pit we waddle on,
Slippery, leading us down below. 

Jesus, the name to trust.
Immanuel, God with us.
Name above all names.
Above everything that's been named.
Above every pretender to His throne. 
Be it covid, cancer, lack, addiction, riches or fame.

And you know what? 
Life as we've lived it,
It's temporary anyway. 
Breath ceases, yet where He is,
Life sprouts anew. 

Free from decay, pain, hunger, cares.
Clothed in glory, our heavenly tent.
Because there, Our Lord Jesus reigns.
And with Him forever we'll be! 

IT SHOULDN'T COME TO THIS

But it has! When a mother—because she's either a nurse or a doctor—could not hold or hug or kiss her baby and isolate herself from her family even in her own home, because she happens to have tested or treated patients for Covid-19.

This I could not wrap my my mind around. A real heart-breaker.

So heed the warnings, people. Isolation. Social distancing. Strengthen your immune system. Don't be stupid thinking this pesky virus won't hit you. No more lives or relationships should be sacrificed in the altar of this disease which has already killed thousands —some of them you and I know—all over the world.

Apart from doing what we can the best way we can, what are we to do?

Our eyes are on you, Lord. You said, "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. (2 Chro. 7:13-16)

Jesus, you said a time is coming when people will no longer worship in temples made by man. You came in the flesh to save us; sent us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us so we can worship you in Spirit and in truth.

If you and I are indeed "His people," I beg you, let's humble ourselves before Him.

It has come to this, Lord. Forgive us for our self-sufficiency and arrogance. Take control of our lives. And see us through all these. Jesus our eyes are on you.

WHEN PANIC SETS IN

I drove myself to the pharmacy. Coming out of it, I could not find my car in the parking lot. Walking back and forth and not finding it, I panicked.

Then I woke up. An awful dream. Which triggered a migraine.

It didn't help that I've started taking pills which my doctor warned might cause hot flushes, pains and other side effects.

But thank God it was just a dream.

Nowadays, populations all over the world are in a state of panic because of an itty-bitty virus. Corona has indeed become “queen” and “star” of all viruses because of the fear it has induced in people.

At Costco and Walmart stores near our place in San Diego, tissue paper, alcohol, hand wash products, and mind you, even bottled water and rice, have started to run out. What??!!

It doesn't help that social media shares and stories---some of them fake---have magnified the strength of this virus more than its real power to do harm.

Health authorities assure us: its ability to infect anyone is only 3 per cent; a good immune system will protect you; take the necessary precautions and you'll be a-OK.

Yet we still panic, right? Welcome to the panic room. Refugee camp, if you will, where a peace accord awaits.

Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. (KJV)

In Jesus, we can be nursed back to faith. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified... for the Lord goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you,” Deuteronomy 31:6.

There's of course still a chance to catch the bug, that's why we take precautions.

But didn't He also promise to heal?

Paul who had a momentary onset of panic during one of his journeys, confessed, “But this happened that we might rely not on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead,” 2 Corinthians 1:9.

Christ is still seated on His throne. King of kings and Lord of Lords, He turns every pretender---yes even this itsy-bitsy corona---to mush. We can starve to death this nano pretender to the throne!

Just press your panic button!

Pray. Believe. Exercise wisdom in whatever you do. 

Then leave the rest to Him who holds your life in the palm of His mighty hand.

Goodness, He even raises the dead!