The thing that has struck me most concerning COVID-19 is its GLOBAL impact. This news article from Qatar, an Arab nation, caught my attention:
“Coronavirus has upended lives and workplaces around the world, with more than a third of the globe under lockdown. As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads fast, the UN is focused on the most vulnerable, refugees and people trapped in conflict situations. The UN has launched a $2bn global humanitarian appeal to assist those most vulnerable. It says prevention and suppression of the virus must be a priority for leaders of all countries. Leading UN officials have called for all conflicts to cease and warring parties to focus their efforts on tackling the coronavirus refugees.” (Al Jazeera Media Network)
Will this pandemic speed up the globalization that is already taking place? The world has been moving towards globalization for some time now, given a big boost by the two world wars of the last century, followed by the process of rebuilding Europe.
The introduction of the Internet took globalization a giant step further. On August 6, 1991, almost 30 years ago, the World Wide Web became publicly available. Its creator, Tim Berners-Lee, gave birth to a new technology that changed the world as we knew it. Its original purpose? Berners-Lee was looking for a way nuclear physicists around the world could share information. It didn’t take long for others to see broader applications.
And now with COVID-19, we are thinking in terms of a global disease that has infected 1.5 million with nearly 100,000 deaths. This virus has economically crippled not just one country but has disrupted every country in the world, likely triggering a worldwide recession.
But there is another tool with global impact, and it is not new. As Christians, we have always been able to reach around the world through the power of prayer.
That is especially important to remember during this Holy Week. Take advantage of the slower pace. Read your Bible and pray for an end to this virus and for many hearts to turn to our Savior. Jesus bore our sins, sickness and sorrows on the cross, but on Easter Sunday, His resurrection brought life and wholeness. Don’t allow COVID-19 to rob you of your joy!
As the Psalmist said (in one of my favorite passages): “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people (still) belong to him.” – Psalm 24:1
Sincerely,
Dave Aucoin
Chairman, Board of Advisors – Rhode Island
