March 22, 2020
Pandemic Brings Opportunity
While in prison, the apostle Paul wrote the “prison epistles,” Ephesians Philippians Colossians, and Philemon. Paul allowed God to use him even in extreme circumstances that were full of danger. Consequently, throughout the centuries, the world has been blessed.
Many of us are currently “confined” because of the coronavirus pandemic, but we are blessed that we are not in physical chains. While confined, we are not writing with the guidance of the Spirit of God as Paul was, but we can use what Paul and others wrote while guided by the Spirit. Being “confined,” we have more time to share the Word.
With the Internet, we can reach those who have not heard the Truth. The teaching website continues to receive a constant stream of registrations from those who need the Word. Several current Internet teachers are taking more and more students, but if we had more teachers, we could lead more people to Christ.
In Romans 8:28, Paul writes, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” That is always true–in good times and bad times.
One way the current pandemic can work for good is by making us take Matthew 9:37 to heart. Here Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Even while confined to our homes by the COVID-19 pandemic, we can respond to God’s call by letting ourselves be used by him to fulfill his purpose by teaching people about Christ.
Mordecai said to Esther, “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). Likewise, who knows but that we have been confined to our homes for such a time as this when people are turning toward God and are hoping to hear a word from him?
Bob and Jan Towell
Note: Become a volunteer seed sower. Log on to ww.worldenglishinstitute.org/register/teach and sign up. Use your isolation time to serve God and to save the people for whom Christ died.
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” – Romans 10:14
