International (MNN) — We’re going into a new year with COVID-19 still part of the conversation. The ongoing pandemic has been exhausting, isolating, and even socially divisive.
Pew Research Center surveyed citizens from 13 developed nations in 2020 and again in 2021. It showed that feelings of division across these countries during the pandemic only increased — sometimes by more than 30 percentage points.
(Photo courtesy of Lina Trochez via Unsplash)
Despite growing divisions, we as Christians can’t forget our calling to make disciples for Jesus.
Ed Weaver, CEO of Spoken Worldwide, says that starts with showing grace.
“As we think about the pandemic, I think the grace that we exhibit toward one another is really critical. No matter what our opinions are about the pandemic, about the political ramifications of actions, responses, plans, whatever, I think we need to have grace toward one another in love,” Weaver says.
“There are so many people out there who have lost loved ones. So however serious this pandemic is, it’s cost the lives of many.”
Maybe it looks like reaching out to your neighbor (you know, the one with the yard sign you don’t like) and asking what their needs are or how you can be praying for them.
Maybe it looks like inviting a lonely teen or senior church member out to coffee.
(Photo courtesy of Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash)
Whatever it is, ask the Lord to reveal opportunities where you can speak into the life of another hurting person with Christ’s grace, truth, and love. Whether or not you agree with their viewpoints.
Weaver also has this to say to Christian leaders: “I think that we as ministry leaders have the opportunity to change some of the narrative. So how can we look past our own thoughts or our own expectations as we go into a new year and say, ‘How can I be different? How can I be different from the world? How can I be obedient to God in this time? How can we be men and women of Issachar who understood the times and then, in that process, glorified God?’”
Ultimately, as we head into 2022, Weaver encourages, “Instead of getting anxious, be at peace. Be content. Trust God. That’s the thing that I want to preach to myself. That’s what I want to preach to my team. That’s what I want to preach to the world right now in every aspect.”
Click here to learn more about Spoken Worldwide’s Gospel-centered ministry!
Header photo courtesy of Toa Heftiba via Unsplash.
