Volume 1
Pandemic
Issue 1
April 29, 2020
\ pan- de-mik \ - occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting an exceptionally high proportion of the population It comes as no surprise for me to share that a quick survey of Google’s news feed this morning yielded these results: 15 of the first 20 stories concerned the COVID-19 virus or some aspect of it. We are in the middle of a global event of unprecedented proportion. Governments and health agencies are desperately trying to “flatten the curve.” The word pandemic is of Greek/Latin origin, and literally means “all people.” The word was first attached to the wide-spread nature of a disease in the mid-19th century, but there is no actual connection to disease in the word itself. Pan means all, and demos means people (as in democracy). Here’s what’s got my mind going today: we are sheltering in place and keeping our distance from other people to try to flatten the curve, and limit the spread of this disease, and well we should. It is deadly. But isn’t that exactly what Satan wants to do to the GOOD NEWS about Jesus Christ? He very much wants those of us who have been touched and “infected” by this amazing Savior to keep it to ourselves. He does not want us to spread our joy, and so he encourages us to wear a mask (or to be quiet) and keep our distance from everyone (to stay hidden). He does not want us to pass on our hope, and so he encourages us to keep our hands to ourselves, and if we do “touch” someone with this truth, he urges them to quickly wash their hands of it. Well, we have news for him! By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are not going to flatten the curve we are going to spike it. We want the love of God to be pouring from us infectiously so that everyone around us will catch it. WE WANT TO CREATE A PANDEMIC OF HOPE. In the words of Peter on the day of Pentecost: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.” God said it will be a positive PANDEMIC of planetary proportions.
~ Max Edwards
Connect NOW is a temporary project of the Connection Magazine staff. We will be writing and soliciting weekly articles for at least May and June, to encourage, inform, and inspire people as we walk through this unique time together. The Evangelical Methodist Church is a global family of Christ followers committed to sharing the good news of God’s love with people.
