Where Are We?
Things were looking a little crazy but we were just living our lives like everyone else. I guess everyone has a story to tell about what was happening right before quarantine. Here’s my story. Probably pretty similar to yours.
When we started hearing about Covid-19 and this crazy mutated flu, it was back in November. A relative called panicked about this flu. We all shrugged and didn’t think much of it. There was other craziness in the news, for us to really be concerned with something going on the other side of the world. For instance, President Trump was being impeached. That was definitely more interesting.
Fast forward and I got word that my paternal grandfather was not doing well and would pass away soon. After he passed away in Ohio, my family flew into California for his burial. He had purchased a burial plot many years before and wanted to be buried near his daughter who had passed away over 30 years before. My sister with her family of 7 drove up from Texas. My parents and siblings flew in from Ohio. My relatives from northern California drove down South. It was solemn. It was sad. It was a small funeral and we had his memorial lunch at Souplantation. That was on March 8th, 2020.
One by one, family members went back to their homes. My older sister’s family stayed a couple extra days. My birthday was March 11, and we ate at California Pizza Kitchen. There was about 20 of us, and we joked around about how we probably freaked out everyone in the restaurant--20 Asians all sitting together in such small quarters. We were watching the TV as they announced that the basketball championships would not be in front of an audience, but televised with just the two teams. We laughed and wondered how that would be.
It was all so surreal. What were you doing right before COVID?
The next day, March 12 and 13, I was substituting at my daughters’ school and on Friday, an announcement for teachers to check their emails was sent out over the intercom. I asked the teacher next door (the classrooms have wall dividers which is SO convenient in times like this!!) and she said to prepare for the students not coming back after the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The teacher who I was subbing for rushed back to school and started throwing books and papers and supplies together. We had about an hour left of school. It was INSANITY!!!
And then, 100 days later, here we are in a totally different world than we imagined 4 months ago.
I think back and I’m amazed at how much changed in such a little time. So much fear and panic. In the midst of all this, if things couldn’t get any worse, we heard about murder hornets! And then there was a locust infestation in Asia killing millions of crops. And then of course, the rioting. Everyday, things change. It is crazy to think about how you truly cannot get comfortable because the next day, EVERYTHING could change.
I have told my daughters that they are living in history and to make video diaries and written diaries that they can show to their children in the future. But I wonder if there will be time for that. The signs of the times are upon us my friends. The final part of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is here. My husband jokes that we are at the time of the the toenails of the statue of his dream. The only thing left is the giant rock that will smash and a new world will begin.
Most of us have heard these stories from our childhood and we know what these signs are. My mom gave my family an illustration during a family zoom Bible study (yes! Our family started doing zoom Bible studies during quarantine!! It’s been fun!). She described how Noah before the flood was building an ark. The people all over saw and were afraid and helped at first. After a while, some were paid and many began to laugh. That never stopped Noah. Day after day he begged everyone to prepare for the flood. There are theories about how long it took Noah to build that ark. The common understanding is 120 years based on Genesis 6:3, and there are many theories for and against this, but this is not a technical essay. Whether it was 120 years or 60, we know it took a loooooooong time. We know the people in the world heard it for years and had mixed emotions about it. What my mom reminded my family of was what about when the animals started coming?
When the first few most likely smaller animals came… the squirrels, the dogs, cats, prairie dogs. This was not something that was common to the people of the time--to see animals just casually walking into a pre-built building on their own accord. And I’m sure there was fear in some of the hearts of the people as they saw and some of them even probably said, “Noah must be right. The flood is coming!” And yet, as they kept watching more and more animals come, they might have just started to get used to the scenery. Maybe they grabbed some snacks and watched as the animals marched in. At first they were afraid and it was amazing, but after a while it was, “Eh? Cool. Alligators?” You would think, when the lions came marching behind the zebras without trying to attack, something should have stirred in their hearts? When the giant elephants and giraffes walked through--should they not have thought, “Oh it is happening NOW! I better get in that ark too!!”
We know the story. When God’s invisible hand shut the door, I’m sure some were afraid and wondered. When the rains came, they probably didn’t really panic at first. But soon…. Within 40 days, it didn’t matter what they thought.
Today, we are in the end times. We know it. We’ve heard it. I feel like the ark has already been built. The first of the animals already started entering, with all the wars and natural disaster. Now, we are talking about leopards and bears entering. Where are we? Are we on the outside just watching the animals pass by? Knowing what’s going to happen but not doing anything? Or are we praying and begging the Holy Spirit to dwell among us so that we can prepare for His very soon coming?
My friends. We are on the brink of the end. I pray and hope we don’t take this time for granted, but that we pray for His soon return and for our hearts to be ready.
My name is Ruth Chang. I am the Children's Ministry Director at Yorba Linda SDA Church. I'm married to Billy Chang (going on 14 years now!!) and we have 2 crazy girls Violet (11) and Stella (7). We live in Riverside, Ca where we love to take family walks, have family movie nights, and family game nights. I am a substitute teacher for my daughter's elementary school down the street. I love learning more about the Gospel and sharing with my young friends! (children's ministry)