I've seen the connection drawn between the events of the past two months and the events of 9/11 on American society. Whether you think that comparison is inept or astute, bear with me because I think a valuable conversation is there to be had. First of all, if you think this whole coronavirus deal is smoke and mirrors, you are entitled to to that opinion. I agree that some current reactions seem overblown. If that is you, you're probably rolling your eyes at such a comparison to 9/11. But please hear me out: whether you believe in the validity of the virus or not, you must admit that it has fundamentally changed the landscape of America, and it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Outside of that, reportedly over ten times the amount of people have died from the coronavirus as did in 9/11 (Just in the U.S.!). Whether you believe that all of those reports are legitimate or not, you must believe that at least 10% of them are (or at least I would imagine).
Ok, what's the point? Why is this 20-year-old kid who was only 2 years old on September 11th, 2001 making this connection? Well, to be quite blunt it's because I've been listening to a lot of musicals lately. It is at this point that I've lost the more skeptical among you, but it's ok I won't take it personally. Recently, a musical (that I cannot outright recommend because of some less than stellar language near the beginning) called Come From Away came out on Broadway. Ok, not that recently, it was like three years ago, but I'm behind. This musical retells the story of the 9/11 attacks from the perspective of those whose flights were redirected to Gander, New Foundland in northeastern Canada. Perhaps it's because I'm quite emotional in quarantine, but this musical has really stuck with me as of late, and I believe it's because the events portrayed in it remind me of our current situation profoundly. Here's a few comparisons and contrasts for you all to consider as we live in mid-corona U.S.A.
1. The news is our greatest informant. And our worst enemy. One of the repeated lines of the musical is I can't watch the news, no I can't watch the news anymore. How much can we all relate to that? I know that I can. Friends, we all want to be informed, we all want to hear the latest numbers. But at what cost? Dwelling on numbers of death and fear will bring us no peace. Be informed, but please, turn off the news and go do something. Whether it means taking a walk or blessing your neighbor with groceries, do something productive. Might I suggest some time in the Word? (That's for myself more than anyone)
2. In the musical (based on the real events in Gander), passengers of the redirected planes are stuck on them for up to 28 hours. Most of them are without phones or ways to communicate with their loved ones. Even when they get to the airport, the payphones are shut down. Take a moment right now and thank God for Zoom and FaceTime technology. I already need more than two hands to count how many times I've been blessed by men and women of God on the other end of a video call. I freely admit that I rely on people more than I should, but I've also learned that it's ok to rely on them a little. We are created for community! God said it is not good for man to be alone. So make the calls! Communicate! Fellowship! We are blessed to be able to go through this historic world event together, no matter how separate we may be. Imagine 9/11 if people had to go through it 6 feet apart? God gives us the right technology at the right time.
3. These times soften our hearts. One of the highlights of Come From Away for me is when a plane full of people from Africa lands and is unable to communicate with the Canadians in the airport. The bus drivers are at a loss until one finds a Bible in the African group's language. Although he can't read it, he knows the numbering system must be the same, and thus is able to navigate to Philippians 4:6: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." The bus driver says "that's how we started speaking the same language." In times of distress, people are more open to the Gospel! Share Scripture! Reveal how God is working in your heart and encouraging you! Now more than ever, God's word is useful for all tasks.
4. Note how people of the world are coming together. Look, I get it. Global unity isn't the goal. Global transformation is. However, seeing love and kindness expressed throughout all people is testimony to his general revelation. God has allowed us to share some of his attributes, even those who are not in him. These little moments of human kindness are testimonies to God's ultimate Kindness. Why do we love to see these little acts of good? Because they are the exemplification sacrifice in our modern world. Sacrifices of time, resources, or comfort bring tears to our eyes in these trying times. The people of Gander immediately gave of their goods and houses, some of them staying up for five days straight as they opened up their houses and city for 7,000 people who landed in their town. Clothes, food, hygiene items and everything in between were given by the civilians of Gander. Friends, that kindness is such beautiful testimony to the sacrifice the Father made when he gave his Son. Let us emulate him! And may our sacrifice and kindness be contagious.
5. We live in a world that's missing something. As the "plane people" return home in the musical, they realize that their lives have changed forever. Something's Missing is the song that outlines this feeling. Don't you all feel the same? Our lives have been upended. We can't return to church for at least a month, we can't gather with our friends for the same amount of time. Even when quarantine ends, we will exit into a new world. A world most likely changed forever. How do we cope? Well church, my encouragement is that something has always been missing. We have no confidence that this world will remain the same. Indeed, all earthly foundations are shifting sand. Earthly customs and institutions will shift. The goodness of God, the power of God that is the Gospel (Rom. 1:16) is unchaining. It is our living, immune, incorruptible, unshifting hope. As we exit quarantine, blinking into a new world, shall we find our hope in adjusting to a new normal? Or shall we continue saying "Hallelujah, all I have is Christ"? Our hope now is the same as it will be then. It's the same now as it was in 2001, and 2008, and last month. Something's missing in the lives of the unbelieving, but it is not God. It is the perfect relationship he created us for. Let us join with him in restoring it to as many people as possible.
I have no idea how helpful these comparisons and the corresponding principles are to you all. But they have been the truths I'm pondering as of late. I'm here, friends. I'm blessed to be among my family and safe. I'm happy to continue this conversation with whoever desires to do so. Get in the Word, turn off the news, love your neighbor, honor the King.
We will sing a new song
'Cause death is dead and gone with the winter
We will sing a new song
Let "hallelujahs" flow like a river
We're coming back to life
Reaching towards the light
Your love is like springtime
You're the living water
God, we thirst for you
The dry and the barren
Will flower and bloom
You're the sun that's shining
You restore my soul
The deeper you call us
Oh, the deeper we'll go
-Chris Renzema, Springtime
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