20|20 Vision
It was the 1st of January 2017 when mom, dad, li’l bro, & I went on a ride through the mountainous parts of Negros Oriental. As we navigated through the areas, there were parts that were partly foggy, so we relied on the view of the road directly in front of us without much of a rush.
Fast track 3 years & some month later & it’s midway through the year 2020 already -- a lot has happened or, should I say, a lot are mishaps. There was that almost World War, also a nation burning, volcanic ash-fall sepulchered some Philippine provinces, racism engulfing the law, but one thing that takes the spotlight is the pandemic with the SARS-CoV-2 strain that perfectly behaves like a symbiote (parasite) to it’s host, given the name CoViD-19 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). Not only has CoViD-19 dealt a heavy blow not just for health institutions & it’s entirety, but also for public governance, private firms, the economy, & for every individual in the world.
Between people, there have been skirmishes, be they in word or deed, especially because of opposing views as we cannot get along since we all have different temperaments. We attack each other instead of the common enemy, berate & dismiss one as soon as we deem their opinion unfit for mental digestion. We are to be reminded that our foe is not the people we deal with, but the unseen forces that cause division in this time & age ( Ephesians 6:12 ), what the world needs now is salvation & freedom from the perilous disease that scours the land; however, this could never be realized if we continue to push through with our personal agendas & vendettas to a point we let our pride consume us ( Proverbs 16:18 ). Take a look at all around, you can see hate & fear spreads faster than CoViD-19. Should we fear death? Apparently, we shouldn’t so long as we have our hope & faith anchored in the finished work of Christ on the cross. The brevity of life is magnified in this very day, death may knock at our door, but now if we have to die with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him ( Romans 6:8 ).
The problem that takes the highlight nowadays might be natural mutation or lab-made means, regardless of origin, the heart of the human problem is the problem with the human heart. Case in point, even with “strict” ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) protocols, many will still shrug it off & carry about their own way; also disregarding mandate of staying at home deliberately. Take note, we might not really know that sin got us hooked already since it easily ensnares ( Hebrews 12:1 ). As the virus mutates, so does dissent & conflict. We have to know when to call out the misdeeds of others to help build them up, not tear them down. I am well aware of how the current situation has everyone in disarray (from leaders to constituents), it only makes me pray harder MARANATHA!
Before all these transpired, we (myself included) have thought that we made foolproof plans of securing our lives, investments, goals, desires; however, in hindsight, everything is vanity ( Ecclesiastes 1:1 ). We may get richer & financially stable, but no amount of money ever bought a second of time, “and I applied my heart to achieve knowledge & to know madness & folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.” ( Ecclesiastes 1:17 ) We could achieve whatsoever we set our mind to, but it’s more than evident that all these temporal things mean nothing to the eternal.
Many want the year 2020 cancelled. Well, what if this is what we needed after all? It put into perspective what really matters. With that in mind, you can really say you have 20|20 vision.
Like my aforementioned premise, the fog may rob us of seeing from afar, yet we have to trust the One who will take us out of there, every step of the way. Let me conclude with Deuteronomy 31:6 when we fear these present times: Be strong & courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
GOD bless!