Now What?

    Normally April and May are very busy. If you still have children at home they are getting involved in Spring Sports. Spring vacation is past and it is just possible to begin tinkering with the idea of summer. Yet, as Spring springs around us in 2021 there is still an air of uncertainty. 

    The natural question—now what? While the Pandemic is not quite over the flood waters are receding. As the numbers of vaccinated grow the pool of protection will expand and there will be a corresponding increase of activities. Churches have opened and are reintroducing opportunities for worship, study, and service—while continuing  with the innovative technologies which drove worship communities during the isolated days of the Pandemic. Streaming feeds, and FaceBook Live will remain in use in concert with the traditional approaches we have missed. 

Schools are increasing their activities as well. For months many parents struggled with the question  “How will this impact my child/children? Will they be too far behind to catch up?” Now there are spring (football?!?) sports. Proms are being planned. School groups are having fund-raisers and banquets. Graduation events will soon be on the drawing board. 

Vacations canceled last year will be re-scheduled. Weddings. Anniversary parties. Reunions of all kinds. There will be lots of catching up. Now what? The next thing. Your choice. Break out. Rustle your wings. Fly you butterfly!

Has it really been so bad that we are reduced to butterfly metaphors? Yes and no. One of the central sources of ennui during this Pandemic crisis—beyond the disease itself—has been the disclosure of an odd narcissistic need at the heart of Western culture—even, we must admit within the Church.  It is true that there have been many acts of duty-driven self-less sacrifice. Churches have led, fed, and nurtured. Good people have behaved admirably. Yet, there have also been relentless examples of our neighbors and friends behaving with boorish, childish, selfishness. Calling them to account for such behavior has been about as effective as reprimanding a fit-throwing toddler. They react with self-righteous egoism and anger anytime a guy like me (fulfilling my obligation to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ) points out the disconnect between their behavior and profession of faith in Christ. 

Now what? It is time for Christian people (my central concern) to hold one another accountable for un-christian anti-social behavior. Now what? Love your neighbor. Now what? Do everything in your power to be at peace with everyone. Now what? Stop whining. Quit complaining. Grow up. Don’t call people you disagree with names. Don’t let un-wholesome unedifying speech come out of your mouth.   It’s time for mature Christian’s to feed upon the meaty Word of God. Stop railing at the world and start trying to address the issues which define our fallen culture. 

Now what? Be regular in worship. Be diligent in study. Be eager in service to others. Now what? Get over yourself and more into Jesus. Now what? Consider the needs of others first and trust the scriptures to help you understand complicated times.

Really the answer to “now what?” is wholly outside of our understanding. The actual answer, the only one which really makes sense is “I don’t know.” This year could be better, the same, or worse than last. OUCH! Rather than emerging smoothly from isolation many if not most of us will kind of lurch. People with whom we disagree will surprise us with their reasonable civility and people we agree with will continue to behave in such a way that Jesus is embarrassed and the cause of Christ besmirched. 

Now what? Do the right thing. I am called and commissioned to proclaim the Good news. Jesus calls us to be good news people. What do we do now? What’s next? Now what? 

Continue with the mission.