It seems like ages ago that we were sharing our lenten supper and holding worship in our sanctuary but that was only two weeks ago.  Last week Jean was on the phone with her mother in Taiwan and she said that schools here in Michigan had been closed for a couple of weeks and I told her they had only been closed since Monday.  With news coming so quickly and much of it very discouraging one day seems to stretch into weeks.  

Things slow down, and our senses become more acute in crisis.  What really matters becomes more clear and visible as well.

for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14)

Paul had been riffing on darkness/light in these passages.  "You were darkness, but not any longer, walk as children of light."  And know the source of light: Christ.  If darkness is surrounding, if it's pressing in on the sides, then a lightsource is what we need.  Christ is our light.

A study bible gives quite a few potential references in the Old Testament for that little verse Paul quotes.  The best one is probably:

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1)

Look lively!  Chin up!  The king is here!  Dawn has broke and the sun is rising.  No need to fear the darkness any longer, your light has come!

I do recommend that you keep informed and follow news and especially our government recommendations and mandates at this time.  But don't get too overwhelmed with the news.  It can be all consuming if you let it.  Instead turn stuff off at times and open that Bible.  Let God's word shine into your hearts... let his light drive the darkness away.

Another reference to that verse is a very hopeful one:

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. (Malachi 4:2)

There is always hope no matter the circumstance, our promise is always complete healing even if it's through our eternal rest-- we will go out leaping like calves from the stall.  Ultimate healing is his promise to us as always.