I’ve been reading through the Book of Acts over the past few weeks and one story in particular has stood out in my mind. Paul and Barnabas were traveling throughout the Greek-speaking world on an incredible missionary journey. Do you want to talk about revival? Because that’s the only way to describe what was going on. The Holy Spirit was at work and people were coming to faith in Jesus all over the place.

It was the ideal situation…and then Acts 15:36-41 happened:

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought it best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

After releasing a streak of platinum albums, the band was breaking up. Paul and Barnabas, this evangelistic dream-team, was splitting up over a disagreement about Mark. This was a disaster…at least, it appeared to be. Instead of frustrating the Spirit’s work, this disagreement multiplied it. Now, instead of one team reaching the Greek-speaking world, there were two. This disruption didn’t hinder God’s work. It advanced it.

This story speaks to me because we find ourselves in a similar spot, don’t we? 2020 has been a year of disruption. Nothing has gone exactly the way we thought it would and it’s easy for us to be negative about that. We can complain about unmet expectations, derailed goals, and frustrated hopes. I know I certainly have those moments! It’s right to grieve what we’ve lost this year, but have you considered what we’ve gained? God has a way of wringing good out of even the bleakest circumstances. What we call problems, God calls providence. We just need the eyes to see it. If you’re not convinced, just remember Paul and Barnabas.

I know you can list the ways that COVID-19 has closed doors, but can you think of any that it has opened? Can you see new opportunities that are available because of these circumstances we’ve found ourselves in?

I can tell you one in my life. Because of the pandemic, our usual youth activities have been on hold. That means we’ve had to get creative and our creativity has taken the form of youth small groups. Normally I have other responsibilities that keep me away from youth ministry, but this Fall I’ve been co-leading the group for High School Boys. Without a doubt, it’s been one of the most meaningful things I’ve done all year! I’ve had a chance to share interesting and meaningful conversations with some truly wonderful young men. It’s been great – and I wouldn’t have done it if the Coronavirus hadn’t turned my year upside down.

Church, God’s at work. He doesn’t waste a moment, not even the moments we’ve spent in quarantine. Where are you seeing God at work?