In previous posts of “A Different Perspective” and COVID-19, I described C for Courage, O for Overcome, and V for Valor.
This week we look at the letter I.
I is for INVISIBLE
Incapable by nature of being seen; not perceptible by vision.
Inaccessible to view; hidden.
[Merriam-Webster]
On numerous occasions in recent weeks we’ve heard or read the words “invisible” to describe COVID-19. How true, as this insidious, unseen enemy moves silently through communities, our nation, and around the world.
The mere idea this virus is incapable by nature of being seen; not perceptible by vision, hits at the very heart of our sense of security and peace. Seen only by a trained eye under a powerful microscope, its destructive possibilities precludes anything we’ve experienced in over one hundred years.
And yet, there’s another perspective to INVISIBLE that may infuse a generous dose of hope and calm into our thoughts and emotions—while inaccessible to view, nevertheless many people have a keen sense of God through experiences they can only attribute to the Divine. Maybe that awareness speaks to our hearts in the beauty of nature, in the sound of the chickadee, or the brilliant reds of a glorious sunset. Maybe we’ve encountered God in the innocence of a newborn baby, or in the eyes of a wise and compassionate family member or friend.
There’s another aspect to being hidden that provides a special blessing—while the Divine may be invisible to our human eye, we can see the good fruit of the actions and behaviors so many choose to make these days. Donations of resources and time to food banks; phone calls to those who live alone; bright, colorful signs in front of nursing home windows; all are visible evidence of love that reveal the best and highest order of our human nature.
There’s no doubt it would help if we could see this enemy more clearly, if the battlefield was contained, obvious, and easily managed. That is not the case. Which doesn’t mean we are defeated before we begin.
What it does mean is maybe we need to turn the eyes of our hearts to a God with the wherewithal to heal, encourage, love, instruct, and guide us through these most difficult of times. .
Researchers and scientists are spending long, countless hours bent over scanned electron images, test vials, and the best of technology and equipment to develop ways to deal with the virus. Because God has given us the capacity to think, learn, reason, and act, we can rest at night knowing they will eventually discover the vaccines and treatments to combat the worst this invisible enemy has to offer.
In the meantime, may we be grateful for all those who are making sacrifices; visible, living examples of the goodness that mirrors the invisible heart of God.
To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God,
honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
[1 Timothy 1:17]
