We certainly live in unusual times.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d go up to a bank teller with a mask on, asking for money.
Even to go shopping is different; standing in a queue to enter the shop and having sanitiser sprayed on your hands before entering. We are all used to queueing at tills before you exit a shop, but waiting in a queue to enter when it is not Black Friday is really something different.
Uncertainty
The one thing though that concerns me is the incredible level of uncertainty about the future after this lockdown. Will all businesses be allowed to re-open after 30 April or will it be phased in gradually; first certain types of businesses and the rest only later on? Or shall we at first just be allowed a little extra freedom and gradually more?
Or will the lockdown be extended even further?
Our son who studies at the US informed us that his classes on campus is due to only start again on the 27th of July. Furthermore there is much speculation about how deep the recession to follow will be, as well as speculation on the best ways to contain the further spread of the virus. I don’t think there is any president who does not endure criticism for the way they handle the pandemic.
Business owners’ dilemma
As an advisor on entrepreneurship and business management, my biggest concern is for the business owners who in a time like this are not allowed to open the doors of their businesses. You still have accounts to pay but you have no cash flow entering the business. And what about all the employees that work in the business.
Currently I also receive numerous WhatsApp and Facebook messages from people who have some or other insight about the current situation. If I should listen to all of them I think I’ll be occupied with it 24/7.
# At wits’ end
Interesting though is what I see on social media. In some countries doctors and politicians acknowledge that they do not have answers for this current pandemic and we see videos of thousands of people kneeling down in the streets to call out unto God.
At the sermon on the mount in Mat 5:3 Jesus taught; “God blesses those people who depend only on Him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven!” (CEV) The Message translation of Mat 5:3 reads “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.”
I think it must have been what the Israelites experienced before they entered the Promised Land. In Joshua 5 we read that after they miraculously crossed the river Jordan that was in flood, they could no longer turn back because of the river and in front of them was the impenetrable city of Jericho.
They knew their only way was to go forward, but how? Nobody knew what was to happen.
I suppose they all talked about possible solutions of how to overcome the uncertainty of the “lockdown” situation they found themselves in and what the leadership ought to do or should already have done.
Their solution
So they consecrated themselves before the Lord and kept the Passover according to God’s prescriptions on the fourteenth day of the first month.
Then the Lord / an Angel (the Commander of the army of the Lord) appeared to Joshua giving him instructions on how they need to go about to conquer the fortified city of Jericho. They immediately obeyed God and started marching around the city and within seven days God miraculously let the wall fall down flat. (Jos 6:20) Then they were able to go forward and began to conquer the land.
Maybe God wants us to once again realise that true blessing is really all about Him.
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.” (Mat 5:3)
Maybe after this time of turmoil, you’ll be looking for a job or business that will better match your personality. If you are that person, a Career Direct Assessment (available online) will help you find the right direction. It will not only show who you are, but will also point you in the right direction.
