Entering the Wide World Again – Balancing Risk and Safety
Christ is Risen: Truly He is Risen!
As we celebrate Christ’s resurrection, we also look forward to re-entering the world, facing the challenges with renewed hope, with Faith that God will help us find our place and make things work again.
In Christ’s resurrection, we see how the Son of God rises from the dead in both body and soul, not just soul. God created us both body and soul, with both needing care.
As we get ready to reopen our economy in phases, we are told that safety comes first. We wish to stop the transmission of the coronavirus. Those deemed to be vulnerable will be the last to re-integrate (i.e., the elderly and those with vulnerable health conditions).
We want to do things the best way possible. After the pandemic recedes, people will ask questions about how we handled it; whether we did things right or not; if we were able to foresee the long-term results. We want to do things right and re-enter the outside world, the sooner the better.
Maybe future generations will call this time the Great Lockdown. In previous years, we’ve only briefly shut down our institutions and businesses due to weather or attack. We did so to safeguard our physical health and safety.
Yet health is not solely a consideration of physical risk. The longer the shutdown goes, the more vulnerable we are to other risks. What of our spiritual and mental health?
If we are mostly immobile and cut off from people and regular routines in the community, we experience other levels of risk. With all the lockdown restrictions, the health of our soul is at risk. God has created us for a purpose, with gifts and talents to learn and grow, and find enjoyment in our toil (Ecclesiastes 5:19). And so, when we’re prevented from moving and doing, we’re frustrated. There’s an old saying which goes, “A ship in the harbour is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.”
We have seen the closure of all “non-essential” stores, eateries, offices, and schools. We applaud all those in essential services, yet also yearn to get back into the mix with them. We want our children back in school.
The pandemic came without warning; we were told to “shelter in place,” and wait and see. Yet isolation can create problems.
So far, many of us seem to be coping well, thank God. For those of us not on the frontline, we wake up later in the morning, work online, help with home/online schooling, and then do our chores. In the evening, we settle in with leisure activities and go to bed a little later than usual.
Yet a lot of us are trying to manage our anxiety and despondency. In times of weakness, some of us may overindulge in drinks and drugs, numb out on video games, get hooked on social media, or spiral late into the night surfing the web.
These destabilizing days have many people worrying about the shutdown, wondering about their livelihoods and financial future if the economy “collapses.” Millions of people are out of work. Many are stressed. The losses can be devastating. Many may seek to hide their inner struggles because of embarrassment and shame.
It is arguably true that a “tipping point” can be reached; a point where it is of greater risk to stay home than it is to go out and risk infection. People are delicately balanced and need activity and the chance to contribute and be “in community.”
Worry keeps many people up at nights. Kids are out of school and are missing regular instruction and social activities and sports. Parents can’t always be teachers and playmates. They have worries of their own.
Elders are at particular risk of infection. The Hellenic Home is currently in lockdown because some have contracted the coronavirus. We pray that the staff and healthcare workers can provide for their care, and that we also can provide for our own elder relatives.
Our Bible Study participants had an online video study session this past Tuesday and we talked about what strategies worked for us:
Stay physically and mentally active. Read and learn. Maintain routines everyday. Wake up in the morning early, clean up, get dressed as if we’re going out. Maintain our “job” readiness so that when the restrictions are lifted, we “hit the ground running.”
At home, we try to give each other space – emotionally, physically, mentally. We back off and get out of each other’s way; create timeout areas.
We try not to judge others harshly, examining ourselves and considering our own shortcomings. We replace criticism with praise.
We are more active with baking, cooking, cleaning, exercising, and going out for walks.
We are watchful of harmful behaviours. We monitor negative mood disorders (depression, irritability, loneliness), and medical conditions (heart health, diabetes, muscle weakening).
Most of all, we find that prayer helps us. We don’t know about everything, and we don’t know what will be, but God does. We also turn to Orthodox Christian content for encouragement, e.g., Church Service livestreaming, Ancient Faith Radio.
With love, patience, and perseverance, may we endure a little while longer, resting up before we labour to rebuild our lives. For Christ says, “the one who endures to the end will be saved” (St. Matthew 24:13). And He gives an extraordinary peace to those who ask of Him: “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (St. John 14:27).
Already, there are hopeful news headlines: “The Road Map to Re-opening Canada,” and “The End May Be In Sight” – National Post, April 18 and 21.
Finally, in the movie, Chariots of Fire, the Scottish Olympian Gold Medalist Eric Liddell said, “God has made me for a purpose, ... But He’s also made me fast, and when I run, I feel God’s pleasure.”
May we fulfill our purpose and feel God’s pleasure when we get back into the workaday world and use the gifts He has given us, for His glory.