Spiritual Growth in a Post-Pandemic World
It was a little over three years ago when the world seemed to come to an abrupt stop as COVID-19 became a global pandemic. Every aspect of life was affected from schools to churches to airline travel. Entire countries locked down almost overnight, and our way of life as humans seemed upended. Instincts of survival kicked in and trying to obtain the basic necessities such as toilet paper became a struggle. Fear became a daily reality: fear of dying, fear of infecting others, fear of losing one’s job or housing, fear of the vaccine, fear of becoming chronically ill, or fear of losing loved ones and not being able to be with them as they drew their last breath.
It is not an exaggeration to say that the world experienced a collective trauma, one that we haven’t seen in many years, probably since one of the last World Wars. This trauma has continued to have reverberating effects throughout many segments of society, including small business owners, churches, education, those in the medical profession, and mental health.
Though the fear of the pandemic has mostly receded from the public’s attention, society is still struggling to move forward. The U.S economy is sluggish, K-12 students are said to be behind as a result of the pandemic, and churches are still trying to recover.
What does this mean for our Spiritual Formation? How can you and I grow in our walk with Christ in a post-pandemic world?
I think three areas are vital in order for us to heal and grow.
Make the World Smaller. There is a great line from the movie Man of Steel in which Clark Kent’s mom tells the future Superman who is struggling as a child with the overwhelming noise from his super hearing and who protests that “the world is too big,” to “make the world smaller.” We too have experienced the “bigness” of the world. The world we live in is too big, and we are more aware than ever before of what is happening across the world. We also understand how much what happens in other parts of the world can impact us wherever we live. The world has gotten bigger and so we need to make it smaller. Rather than focusing on “the world” and the problems that exist everywhere, we need to focus on the tasks we can manage and be aware of what is in and out of our control.
Though the world has become more accessible and seemingly out of control, God only expects us to care for and handle what we can each day. The problems that exist in life are more complicated than ever before, but God remains the same and promises to provide and care for us if seek Him and His Kingdom first (Matt. 6:33). Instead of looking outward and becoming overwhelmed by the world, we need to look inward to God’s presence within us and His care for us, and find peace and strength in Him.
Be intentional. Now more than ever, intentionally pursuing God in a deep and meaningful way is vital. We may have relied on church to keep us connected to God, but the pandemic forced us to realize that church is not the source of our growth or relationship in God. Our walk with God is our own to pursue, to deepen, to intentionally engage in, to develop, and God will meet us wherever we are. James 4:8 says tells us to come near to God and He will come near to us.
Lean into Community/Relationships. COVID-19 has reminded us of the fragility of not just life but of our way of life. And understanding that our life should be all about God and others is important. More than ever before, we need community. We do not grow in isolation but rather in community. Paul makes this clear in Ephesians 4, especially in verses 15-16. We learn from each other in community and we mature as followers of Jesus in our relationships with others.
And this community involves all types of people from caregivers, friends, neighbors, and family, to those we minister to, care for, and mentor. We grow through giving and receiving care, and this comes from a variety of relationships.
A post-pandemic world is different and we are all still adjusting. Yet, God created us with resilience and adaptability, and focusing on what we can manage, focusing on Him, and caring for others are ways we can learn and grow in these tough times.
For more resources and support in spiritual growth, check out our website: www.thespiritualreformation.com