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A few weeks ago, my pastor shared an illustration that truly captures how many of us feel now that the Coronavirus pandemic has entered its fifth month.
I'm running in a marathon, and I'm near the end. I have been on my feet for what seems like an eternity, and I've got nothing left. Somehow, I pass the 26-mile mark; the finish line, the checkered tape, is just 300 meters away. I grit my teeth, take some final breaths, and take in the scenery of the final stretch. I see my friends and family cheering me on. They'll be waiting for me on the other side of the tape; a celebration is just moments away.
I reach the finish line completely exhausted and instead of exuberance and celebration… chaos. Expecting to hear the crowd's excitement, I listen to people shouting, "What's he waiting for?" and "What's he doing?"
Someone hands me a bicycle. "What is this?" I say.
A man looks at me, and in bewilderment shouts, "It's time to ride! Didn't you know this is a triathlon? You have a 112-mile bike ride ahead of you, and a two and a half-mile swim after that! Drink some water and get going!"
I groan as I climb onto the bike.
I too feel like I've just finished running a marathon, and someone has just handed me a bicycle and told me to pedal to Lake Tahoe and then to swim to the other side!
A God We Can Count On
In the midst of all of this uncertainty, here is what I am certain of:
God is good, He loves His people, and He's completely in charge of everything. The Bible tells us not a hair on our heads (Matt 10:30), or a bird in the sky (Matt 10:29), or even the casting of a lot (Prov 16:33) is outside of God's control. Because he's in charge of those small things, He's certainly in charge of bigger things, like the Coronavirus and wildfires. While we may not know what He's up to with these things, or how long they will last, we know He is good, and we know we can trust Him.
New Technology and Instructional Model
While there are new challenges in the world, there is so much to be excited about at Berean Christian High School. Even though the state has mandated remote learning, our teachers have adapted faster and more effectively than we thought possible. They have discovered new teaching methods, new tools, and new technology to maximize learning and spiritual formation in their virtual classrooms.
To prepare for remote learning, we strengthened the school's Wi-Fi infrastructure to ensure our ability to broadcast every lesson live to students at home. We also spent an entire week training our teachers to use new technology and teach remotely. As always, we are confident in their ability to maximize their students' academic progress and spiritual growth, no matter the instructional model.
We also prepared the campus for the safe and sanitary return of our students. We installed outdoor sinks, touchless hand sanitizers, and countless other mitigation protocols. We also developed a health screening app to ensure sick kids stay home when they are not feeling well. Though we do not know when we will be allowed to open our doors, we are ready to do so!
And while we have encountered new challenges, we are confident this will be an exciting year with new opportunities to provide a Bible-centered education to develop lifetime followers of Christ. May the Lord bless this endeavor!
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20–21, ESV)
May the Lord bless you!
Nicholas Harris