Put on Hold
BEING PUT ON HOLD
How would we describe our present circumstances? The answer would seem to be “Put on Hold”. This would describe most accurately our crisis today as result of the Covid-19 Virus. Our lives have been put in a state of suspension for which we have little control. It is the same experience we have when, during a phone call, we are “put on hold” when the other party decides to leave us for another one. Our lives feel interrupted by circumstances beyond our control. In the case of the world wide pandemic, we are not just annoyed, we are paralyzed with fear not knowing when the very real danger will finally end.
Everything in our lives are on hold: for some: work and income; for all: the ability to gather and socially connect; not knowing when or if the Covid-19 Virus will affect us and when it will end; when will our lives get back to normal with the activities we usually enjoy. In fact, the entirety of our lives is on hold with sometimes devastating results and at least proving to be trying and worrying. It is a challenge to all of us like never before in modern times.
What are we to do? How do we cope? When will it get better? Our lives stand still without definitive answers at this time putting a strain on our well-being: our mental and physical health.
First, we have the opportunity to depend on the expertise and leadership of those who have the mandate to make the kind of actions to fight and overcome the Virus. Trusting the political and health officials to make effective decisions that will bring us beyond being on hold to some normalicy in our lives no longer being in danger. This is one level of faith. Another is faith in ourselves.
Trusting that we have the resilience and where with all to keep up our self-confidence and ability to manage our lives in face of this time of being in suspense, personal mental and emotional strength to manage uncertain times. Making sure that our human need to socially connect with others is undertaken through our different communication medias when cannot physically gather together. Reaching out overcomes our sense of isolation. But there is a deeper and more resilient kind of faith that can help us.
It is interesting that when Jesus died and his followers were ‘put on hold’, the disciples experienced this devastation similarly to us. The Resurrection of our Lord did not take place for three days and in many cases did not appear alive to some for quite a time. But Jesus did. He made himself known to them. The being put on hold was ended. Our faith in the Resurrection has the same results. We become aware that through the challenges of being put in suspension like the virus does we come through it all in faith that life will become fuller and with promise because Jesus is present to us.
Meanwhile, as we wait in hope, we can make those contacts with our friends and family, we can restart that hobby we have neglected, we can practice prayer and meditation, we can offer gratitude for all that we do enjoy and even enter laughter into these trying circumstances. Navigating this put on hold time is foremost a spiritual opportunity to rediscover the meaning of faith in an unprecedented time.
Submitted by The Reverend Doctor Jack Roberts