We often use the expression “God willing” for things we plan to do in the future. As Christians, that can be a phrase of faith and assurance of our trust in the Lord. However, there is a risk in using the same expression to evade responsibility in matters that require our commitment.
I find it hard to believe that in times of a global pandemic we think: “God willing, the coronavirus will be destroyed.” Rather, God wants and is willing to beat the COVID-19 virus! The motivation driving God’s will is his love and hope. We should not doubt that God loves us and wants to save his creation.
God’s “will” is his holy purpose manifested through Jesus Christ his son. His will is diametrically opposed to death and divinely aligned with resurrection. God’s will is a resounding “no” to suffering and evil and a “yes” to life and hope.
Consider the following:
God is active in his creation
First, a God of love and hope actively participates at all levels of his creation by sustaining and protecting it against evil and suffering, this includes the COVID-19 pandemic.
God works by becoming flesh
Second, God (in Jesus Christ, his Son) became flesh and in this incarnate form saved us and heals us from our sins. The incarnation is the means by which he chose to carry out his salvation. As John states: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14 NIV). On the basis of the incarnation we must consider that holy communion, baptism, the Bible, and spiritual disciplines are all means by which the grace of God is communicated, and God uses these for our spiritual good. In the same way, God uses scientific advances and social institutions (among others) to combat diseases, pandemics, or social ills for our good.
God’s will and our response
Third, God actively participates at all levels of his creation to save, heal, and protect our health. His love and grace seek a positive and active response from humanity. The Bible shows us that the human response to God’s love and grace can be one of acceptance or rejection, but God’s will is for us to respond with acceptance. This is especially true today as we fight to end the evil of the COVID-19 pandemic.
God’s will and our hope
Fourth, God’s will is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. God gave life to his Son who died on the cross and was buried. God raised him from the dead and gave us living hope (see 1 Peter 1:3). The gospel proclaims the resurrection as the hope of Jesus’ disciples and of the whole church. Hope as it is described in the Bible is not to be interpreted as a mere possibility, i.e. “if God wills,” but rather it is a proclamation that sets the Church in motion. This living hope puts our faith into action.
The greatest power is His love
Fifth, it seems to me theologically correct to say that the greatest power in the universe is not in itself the power of God alone, but the power of his love. Because it was his love, not brute force, that conquered sin and death on the cross (John 3:16). The power of God does not exist apart from his love.
The love of God does not force human will but persuades it. This means that God works synergistically, that is, in collaboration with men and women, and works for their good and for the good of his entire creation.
This love moves us to cooperate effectively with God, through social institutions and other means. Today, this means looking for a cure against the pandemic that is plaguing us. Our collaboration at this level can be a very powerful expression of love that God wants and can use.
Final words
- Through the current COVID-19 pandemic we can keep hope alive and put our faith into action by coming together in solidarity with the loving purpose of God and society to destroy the effects of this virus.
- God calls each one of us, each family, each government entity, to give answers of hope, love, and solidarity to our neighbor, through all the necessary and available means within our reach.
- In other words, take precautions not to contract the disease, following hygiene protocols, taking the appropriate social distance to avoid infecting others, staying at home, etc. These actions are powerful expressions of love that we need to demonstrate in times of crisis.
- God “is willing” indeed and awaits our commitment!
Dr. Marco Velasco
Academic Dean
SENDAS