Colossians 1:15 (NIV), “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
As our country and our world are experiencing the Covid 19 pandemic, we continue to hear updates from our President and our Governors daily. President Trump considers himself a “war time President” fighting an “invisible enemy.” Scientists don’t know everything there is to know about the Coronavirus, but they are learning more and more every day. In an effort to stop the spread of the virus, the experts are relaying information to us about its sustainability and its effect not only on those who have contracted the virus but also its effect on the world we live in.
How do we fight an invisible enemy?
By heeding scripture, we can fight the invisible enemy with an invisible God in the battlefield of the mind. Colossians 1:15 states, “The Son of man is the image of the invisible God.” While we cannot see the face of God, we can see the effect that He has on the world around us.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV) tells us, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
During these unprecedented times, our thoughts can easily wander and spiral out of control as a result of anxiety and uncertainty. However, this scripture tells us that we have the power, through the Holy Spirit living inside of us as believers, to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ and His truths.
Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV) says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
This scripture challenges us to “put on the full armor of God.” Paul penned this scripture while in prison and used the imagery of the armor worn by the Roman soldiers, who guarded his prison cell, as a visual reminder to other believers the importance of each piece. Unlike the armor worn by the Roman guards, the armor Paul referenced is invisible to the naked eye, but it protects us from daily attacks by the devil both seen and unseen.
John 16:31-33 (NIV) says, “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
During this health crisis, much of our day to day routines have been turned upside down. Children are being homeschooled across the country and employees are being told to stay home from work. Ministers, as well as news casters, and many other retailers are having to be creative in the way they get their messages and products out to the masses. This creativity will hopefully spark revival in our communities and in our world. The time we are spending at home is prayerfully productive, maybe not according to worldly standards but in the way of quality time spent as a family. I believe that the Holy Spirit is at work in these circumstances. God doesn’t cause calamity on anyone, but He can certainly use what the devil intended for harm, to be used for His good and His glory.
Several years ago, I experienced a friendship breakup. It was painful but it was productive. I couldn’t figure out the “why” of that circumstance but through that experience I was able to figure out the question, “For what purpose?” Through that experience, it forced me to be closer to my own family—the Lester party of five. Although, I grieved that friendship, and still do at times, I would do it again for the intimacy that I experienced from my own family as a result. In the same way, this national shutdown has resulted in a cleared schedule for ALL of us, a breakup of sorts, which has left many of us grieving for all that has been lost. However, I pray that through this pandemic, as unfortunate as it is, we would all gain intimacy with those who are under our same roof. That the social distancing guidelines we have all been instructed to follow will actually lead to intimacy within our own families not only with those under our same roof, but ultimately with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Kelly Lester
Guest Contributor for CHM
