So here we are...weeks into the Covid-19 lockdown. There's so much to say about it, and I think most of it has probably already been said. My own state, New Jersey, appears finally to have rounded the bend, so to speak, and we're hopeful that the numbers of positive cases and deaths will begin to decrease. Still, it may be a long time before things get back to normal.
And that word "normal" is the reason for this particular blog. What's the "normal" that we hope for? Is it to return to things just as they were?
Or has this forced retreat from the life we're accustomed to, perhaps been an opportunity to do a little visioning, a little re-thinking, of what life can be?
Many people have found themselves with a lot of extra time on their hands during this stay-home time. If you find yourself in that situation, grab a few minutes of that extra time, sit quietly, turn off the news, and re-imagine "The World After Covid-19". If you and God could re-make the world, what would that "new normal" look like?
Would life move as quickly?
Would the day be as packed with as much noise and clutter and electronic frenzy?
Would there be more time for people, for real connection, for relationships?
Would we be able to better discern what's necessary for a good life, and what's "extra"?
Most important: Would we see ourselves, here in this great nation, not simply as living out the Declaration of Independence, but perhaps living out a new Declaration of
Interdependence? If this virus has taught us anything, it's definitely proven that we exist not as just as individuals, as families, as nations, but as a global community. The virus has no particular respect for wealth, status, fame, or income. It plays no favorites with particular countries or continents. We're one planet, and we've been hit by the same frightening problem together. Whatever our politics may be, as Christians there's no such thing as simply "taking care of myself" or even "taking care of my own family/business/country". For over 2000 years, the Gospel has taught this, and ironically this virus is reinforcing the lesson. This is not to deny the importance of good planning, use of our resources, providing for loved ones, but rather to put it all into perspective, into a bigger picture.
So....as we look forward to the resumption of "normal" -- why not do what we can within ourselves, our families, our faith communities, our neighborhoods, our nation, to bring about a
new normal that is deeper and better than what we were forced to leave behind? Better not in the sense of money, status, and speed, but better in the things that ultimately matter when all else fails.