Connecting Amid The Coronavirus

By |Published On: April 20, 2020|Categories: 4-Minute Radio Program|
Close up of a bunch of orange flowers with the sun setting behind the trees in the background.

When it comes to coronavirus, Ephesians chapter five’s got great advice.

Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and Ephesians 5:16 says, “Make the most of every opportunity, in [the] days of evil.” And these certainly are evil days. And it’s what we’re doing at Joni and Friends as many of our teams are out there doing all we can to serve vulnerable special-needs families. Others of us are working remotely. You gotta visit joniradio.org today and take a look at a screenshot of how it’s done between my co-workers and me. I’m at home, and they are in their homes, and we look a little like “The Brady Bunch” on our computer screen. We’ve been meeting over the internet to work on tasks together, get updates, delegate projects, find out about special-needs families, share resources, and best of all, to pray together. It’s just heartwarming to be able to actually see people, and pray and talk with them face-to-face, especially during this time when so many of us who are high risk are housebound. That’s me!

Physical hugs are a no-no when you consider that COVID-19 could be hidden in every handshake. And so, we are all the more dependent on the hands of Jesus. As an aging, disabled person at very high risk, I am so grateful for Christian friends who are serving as the hands of Jesus. A neighbor dropped off a gallon of milk – she was at a nearby store. Another friend, knowing that Ken Tada and I are relying mainly on frozen food from our fridge, took it upon herself to come and make us clam linguine for dinner. An honest to goodness home cooked meal?! Oh, my goodness, it was beyond wonderful!

The few times my husband has ventured out to the market, he has observed neighbors, you know, hoarding masks, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, trying to get while the getting is good. And bless Ken’s heart, he has reached out at the deli counter to open conversations with nervous shoppers next to him, waiting for cold cuts. “We all know what each other are thinking,” Ken says, “so why not put to rest a little bit of the fear we see around us with a simple, kind word?”

Good advice, Ken. And when each new day brings uncertainties and worries about how bad things will get, we must trust that God will give us enough grace, and enough hand sanitizer, for the day. In a time of fear, our neighbors need to see God as a rock; they don’t need to see His people shrinking back in the face of physical danger.

And as it concerns doing Skype every day with “The Brady Bunch” – it helps. We live in a culture where people struggle against isolation and loneliness. They even say that COVID-19 may produce a mental health epidemic. Because isolated people, especially if they do not know Jesus, are feeling now even more isolated! And when you can’t go outdoors, or go to work, or congregate with friends; when you cannot hug or handshake, it affects people’s emotional stability. Especially those who do not have Jesus Christ as their Rock.

So, today find ways to observe social distancing, yet connect personally with people in need around you, especially on your street. It is a strange season, and we simply must tell people wandering in this vast desert desolation of coronavirus, that Living Water really can come forth from the Rock, our wonderful Savior Jesus Christ.

Oh, and please know that we at Joni and Friends care about your struggles, too. Because our staff is still meeting together every day, through our computers, to intercede on behalf of friends like you who contact our ministry in need of prayer. Contact us today on my radio page at joniandfriends.org. We want to hear from you! And we want to join our Savior in heaven in interceding for your special needs. 

© Joni and Friends

Do you have a question or prayer request?

Contact Us Donate to the Ministry

Recent Posts