For some reason, I felt moved to jot down my reflection on the current scare brought about by the coronavirus otherwise known as COVID-19.
Perhaps this will resonate with some of the readers of this blog.
My initial thought was to ask why this is called a coronavirus.
Corona is a Latin derived term that literally means wreath or crown. Upon a microscopic look at the virus, it indeed looks like a crown.
A crown is often worn by kings and queens signifying royalty and therefore superiority.
It is glittering, visible, and touchable. It is also inanimate, meaning it does not have life on its own.
In many beauty contests, a crown is the most prized possession. Winning the crown is publicly applauded.
Now comes a different crown, the virus.
Instead of being applauded, we are surely appalled.
It is not visible, touchable, or glittering.
It is unseen and yet it makes its presence known after a few days. It cannot be touched but its outcome is palpable as its menace becomes symptomatized.
Of course, it does not glitter for it works in hidden areas of the body. However, despite its obscurity, it has life on its own. And it also has the power to take life in time.
The threat to human life is what makes the invisible crown powerful.
From my firsthand experience, this untouchable virus could ban people from travelling.
It can immobilize organizations, including religious groups so that members are prevented from attending regular face-to-face meetings.
It can even cause many to go on survival mode and start panic buying. The thought, of course, is this: If I hoard and stay at home, I’ll be safe.
The bottom-line as to why this invisible, untouchable, non-glittering crown is so appalling is because of how it can attack the human body to the point of death.
The fear that it evokes is the traumatic thought of not living.
Philosophers call this existential anxiety. Psychotherapists would refer to this as anxiety triggered by termination of life.
It provokes the thought of what if? How about the unfulfilled dreams, the unanswered prayers, the unattained plans? What if indeed!
Perhaps you and I have been bombarded by the world system that puts a heightened premium on what we can see and what we can touch.
And so, we have not placed enough energy in addressing the issue of the unseen and the untouchable.
Proof of our successes in life is often gauged by what we have acquired materially. Thus, we are so unable to evaluate the things which, in business parlance, are non-quantifiables.
Thus, this is my encouragement to all who have come across this reflection.
Let us take this scary season of our lives as a collective opportunity to reflect on what truly matters.
I propose that what is truly significant would include the nurture of the soul; reconciliation of broken relationships; affirmation of loved ones; and commitment to make a difference in others through one’s giftedness.
There is a biblical verse that resonates with me at this time.
It is written by the poet songwriter oftentimes referred to as the psalmist: Be still and know that am God! The central thought is that our divine God “is” sovereign: not “was” and not “will” but “am.”
He calls us all to love Him more than any other and to love our neighbours as ourselves.
While you are taking good care of yourselves and those you love, don’t forsake the significant need to respond positively to the thirst of your soul.
At the end of time, this is what matters the most.
And by the way, this sovereign God also promises to the faithful the Real Crown of Life! Shalom!
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