These days are strange. I start most texts with, “I hope you are doing well in these crazy times.” When I turn onto once full main roads, they are now empty. Stores are closed. All gatherings and social events have been cancelled for at least a month. Schools are shut down. Most people are working remotely. We have been told not to leave our homes except for groceries and exercise. If you would have told me at the beginning to 2020 that this is where we would be, I wouldn’t have believed you. Yet here we are. The whole world is seemingly shut down or at least drastically impacted. COVID-19 has swept across the world.

At first glance things appear to resemble doomsday or the apocalypse, but there is another side to this story…

These days are strange. When I turn onto roads once packed with cars, I am now met with neighbors walking, biking, and enjoying the beautiful weather. Hearts are opened with friends and acquaintances checking in on each other and actually freely giving if there is a need. Families usually separated by busy work and school lives are now together. There is no pressure to attend every event/fundraiser/birthday party. No pressure to have it all together. With less to consume, people are turning to creating. With less to purchase, credit cards and bank accounts get a break. Everyone gets a break. For the first time in a long time, the whole world is taking a deep breath.

Although the world has been turned upside down, I can’t help but hope… dream… that we will live differently after this. I hope we can take some of the good. I hope we see that we CAN change overnight.

I hope individuals realize the do not need as much as they thought. I hope they treasure the relationships they have. I hope parents take active roles in their children’s lives and appreciate teachers, coaches, babysitters, and instructors for everything they have done to aid and support their kids. I hope people see community as a blessing and neighborly friendship as a given — not an exception. I hope people pick up hobbies again. I hope they take time for themselves. I hope they take time to reflect, not just react. I hope individuals look for something more than just this life.

I hope corporations realize that they can be more flexible. I hope they see that happier families means healthier employees and a healthier economy. I hope remote work is more common place to decrease pollution and keep families together. I hope CEOs see the clear skies and rivers and take a responsibility for pollution. I hope businesses appreciate the working class that keep the everyday, “unimportant” tasks going.

I hope governments see that healthcare is important for everyone. I hope politicians care more about the health of individuals than the stock market. I hope they regulate business and hold them accountable to practice sustainability. I hope they invest in renewable and clean energy sources rather than immediate easy access.

This is my prayer. I hope the world learns to slow down and take a breath. I hope the world learns to connect. I hope the world wants to be better. I hope we get better. I hope this virus isn’t for nothing. I pray that this isn’t for nothing. I pray God will use this crazy time to make a lasting change here on earth for eternity — for His glory which is our good.

*****

I feel often feel guilty for such naive dreams. I slowly recognize it is only my privilege that allows me to dream. I can look at the factories shut down and dream of a world with less pollution. Yet many have lost jobs and are in a place of great uncertainty. I can see schools closed and dream of families reunited. Yet school is a safe place for many children with terrible home lives. I can stock up on weeks worth of food and not worry about the money. Yet some families cannot afford to do so and risk not having enough available to them when they need it. I can see the world on pause and think of how wonderful the break is. Yet seniors and those with some mental disabilities are dramatically affected by the change of rhythm. I can feel blessed by friends and neighbors checking in on me. Yet there are others who are experiencing complete isolation right now. I can go out and feel safe in a makeshift facemask. Yet my African American neighbors risk being labeled as suspicious or worse if they do the same. I can honestly enjoy this time. Yet those most susceptible to this virus are fearing for their physical safety. And my Asian brothers and sisters are anxious as racism sores in the face of fear.

Yes, it is only my privilege that allows me to dream of a better tomorrow. My age, race, health, and status in society give me yet another kind of privilege – the privilege to think beyond today and the luxury to see a silver lining. When I think of all this, I am overwhelmed. Change is so simple in my mind. A better tomorrow is just a day away for me. But that is not the case for so many. Are these dreams naive? Should I just morn this broken world? After all, how could all this be fixed? And even if it is fixed for me and my “world”, would my “better world” bring hardship upon others? How should I continue? How can I help?

Awareness, I feel, is not enough. Yet my head starts spinning thinking of all the areas in the world that truly need justice. I have no answers today. But I have hope. I have hope in the One who holds are things together and who promises to bring a new heaven and a new earth. And while I hope in my Redeemer and follow his call, I can also grieve for all those made in His image who tangibly feel the weight of sin on this world in ways I never will.