Oh, the irony of sound sometimes.
There is no “getting back to normal.” While I am confident the pandemic will run its course just as every other historical pandemic has done, the last two years have changed us all forever. While we can’t know for sure what the world will be like as 2022 comes and goes, we can be confident that Jesus will walk with us all the way. He is the same, yesterday (pre-pandemic), today (current wave), and forever (post-pandemic). The author of Hebrews offered a way to live in uncertain moments that 21st century believers would do well to follow:
Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all…Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them…Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13
Whatever 2022 holds, we can be confident that whatever we endure, we will not be alone. Jesus is with us. No matter how scary or bleak, we know this world is temporary and that we look forward to the city that is to come (Hebrews 13:14) in a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:18-29).
Defaulting to Grace 