We’re Not All #SafeAtHome

This is something my wife got me thinking about a couple days ago.

One of the more popular hashtags on social media right now is #SafeAtHome. People are using it to highlight pictures and discussions about what they and others are doing to stay safe and stay home during the coronavirus pandemic—while encouraging others to do the same. It’s a nice thought, especially since a lot of us could use some inspiration for ways to avoid cabin fever while the quarantines, lockdowns, and social distancing measures continue.

But that’s not how it works for everyone.

If your biggest problem during this pandemic is fighting the urge to go a little stir-crazy, take a second to appreciate how very, very lucky you are. Take a second to remember that there are homes out there—in your country, in your town, probably even in your neighborhood—where boredom would be a godsend.

Domestic abuse didn’t stop when the coronavirus started. Terrible people didn’t stop being terrible people when countries started instituting lockdown procedures. And now, around the world, those terrible people are spending more and more time at home, doing terrible things more and more often. Their victims have fewer and fewer avenues of escape or relief. They even have fewer opportunities to report that abuse—and a staggering percentage of domestic abuse is already believed to go unreported.

There are people out there right now who are not safe at home.

They’re trapped at home.

Some of them are dying at home.

And there is so very, very little most of us can do to help any of them.

But we can pray. Remember them tonight, when you’re praying for this pandemic to end. And remember them when you’re praying for God’s Kingdom to come. The terrible things happening behind closed doors and in the shadows aren’t going to stop when this pandemic has run its course. They might happen a little less frequently; there might be some relief for some people, but there’s only one thing that will finally put an end to this evil lurking in our societal darkness. You know what it is:

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

Until that day comes, these days will keep happening. The very best we can hope for right now is a change in frequency and intensity.

The world was a mess before the coronavirus, and it will still be a mess after the coronavirus, too. Let’s pray about the short term solutions, but let’s never forget how desperately we need the day when God steps in to wipe every tear from our eyes—when He puts an end to death, sorrow, crying, and pain—when today’s nightmares become “the former things” (Revelation 21:4).

One day—one beautiful, perfect, wonderful day—things will be different. “Everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree,” says Micah, “and no one shall make them afraid.” And we can be confident in this, “for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken” (Micah 4:4).

So many people have good reason to be afraid right now. The only thing that can truly solve that problem is the Kingdom of God.

God speed the day when we can all be #SafeAtHome.

Until next time,
Jeremy

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