It was December 2019, a new novel coronavirus had broken out in Wuhan, a region of China. It spread so rapidly, like nothing ever seen before. The strain was new; it had no cure. So, the disease continued to spread; and easily too. From a handshake to a simple hug, to standing next to an infected person, to being sneezed upon. One innocent touch and a person was infected.
Within a few months, it ravaged every country like wildfire. The world stood still. Every resource, idea, strategy, plan, you name it, was channeled to one mission – to stop the spread of this virus. The instructions were simple; to keep safe, wash your hands, do not touch your face or nose, keep at least a 6m distance from the next person, and boost your immune system.
But mistakes were made, and stubborn humans would not listen. So, from one country to another, one city to the next, the virus kept spreading. And for the first time in centuries, we were witnessing the breakout of a deadly pandemic. The world was on lockdown to prevent it further and flatten the curve.
World powers started to tremble. Economies broke down. Citizens lost faith in their government. Anxiety, fear, panic, and uncertainty became the order of the day. It became evident that there was only one direction the entire world could turn to. One unifying hope. One possible way out. Thus, there was an outcry; Oh Lord, save the world.
And this was where I asked, ‘hasn’t He already done that?’
I began to analyze the situation, from the confines of my own home, of course. In the midst of all the negative press flying around, I chose to only dwell on the positives. This is the first time in a long time where the people of the world would speak the same language. Just like the men at the tower of Babel who intended to touch the heavens and so decided to build a tower. This is the first time in many years that parents paid attention to their own children by themselves, because there was no caregiver or nanny. Employers have had to find new, safe and secure ways to engage their employees in a bid to keep their systems running.
It is the first time we are really thankful for technology and witty invention.
It also got me thinking, this is the first time in many years that we celebrated Easter and it wasn’t so much about hanging out and making merry alone or with friends and family. Instead, we were compelled to sit back and reflect on the sacrifice that Jesus made and the true meaning of it.
And so, in this season of turmoil and great uncertainty in the world, the words of this song “In Christ alone my hope is found” comes to mind. A song composed by two songwriters whose meeting was pure coincidence but the result has transcended demography, religion, and culture. One song that emphasizes the hope we can anchor onto at such a time as this.
The lyrics say:
In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All, Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone! Who took on flesh? Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross, as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid, Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground, His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day, Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory, Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine, Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
This is the hope we can trust in, that;
- Even though there is darkness, He is our light and even though we are weak, we are assured of His strength.
- Even though the ground beneath proves fragile, He is our solid ground; a firm foundation through the fiercest storm and drought.
- Even though we are afraid, his perfect love casts out all our fears and we are comforted, because in him we stand.
- For one reason was He born, that He might save a generation that did not know him and a new generation that will come to know Him. He knew that going to the cross would open up the door for us to come in and so he did. This single sacrifice paid it all and gave us access. He died that we may boast of a full life.
- Even though systems may fail, we know of a system that stands sure and solid. He endured the cross, the pain, and ache. He took on death and went to the grave. And when hope seemed lost, He rose again that his death might usher us into overwhelming victory. And because of this, we can stand before him blameless and without fault, because of this we can hope again being justified by His power in us through the Holy Spirit.
So, we can hold unto an assurance that even though we don’t know what the end of this age will mean, we can dare to hope in him who holds us in His arms and in his heart. We are certain that there is the dawning of a new era, of possibilities and great impact because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It’s time to do the real analysis of our hearts when it comes to a real relationship with God. It’s time to draw on the truth that has been given to us before the foundation of the world.
The world as we know it might be changing, but remember this, we have an anchor whose promises never fail. He is not angry with us, rather He’s calling us into a deeper place of intimacy. A place of renewed hope. A place of pure assurance, and a place of peace.
In Christ Alone…
Written by Tolulope Oyekan
