Thanks to God’s mercy! Coronavirus is finally under control in China to some extent. Domestic confirmed cases have been reduced to single figures since the end of March. With the lifting of the sixty-five-day lockdown in Hubei province, I can now step out of the door and gradually resume my usual life.
As stated in a previous article, I want my life to count more for Jesus if I could survive the coronavirus. I retraced my life and concluded that I could make improvements at least from the following aspects.
Be a blessing in each role
The home quarantine allowed our family to stay together longer than ever. As the eldest child in my family, I served as a connection link between my parents and my younger brother and sister. During our time together, I struck up conversations with my parents to ease their worries from the disturbing news. Meanwhile, I joked with my brother and sister and encouraged them to consider the virus in a positive way.
One day, my sister told me that she felt happy recently and that it was a blessing to have me in the family. I was surprised when hearing it as my sister rarely shares her deep emotions with me. I used to feel burdened by excessive responsibility in the family but God has taught me to be content and appreciative for where I am in the family. I was grateful that the change of attitude became a blessing to the family.
God has a good purpose concerning each role that He placed in our life, which is meant to demonstrate His glory, and to be the light wherever He sent us. I want to be a blessing-bearer in each role that God gives to me, no matter whether it’s in work, family or friendship.
Relentless fight with sin
As a Christian, I knew the importance and urgency of fighting against sin intellectually. However, I was reluctant to take practical action sometimes. The coronavirus is a good reminder that life is short and death could come anytime. I was not afraid of death as Jesus had conquered it. However, I don’t want to keep losing in the battle with sin.
When looking back, I found that I have gratified the desire of flesh more than the spirit. The tendency is I was led by fleshly desire more and became less sensitive with spiritual grief. I-could-start-tomorrow was the excuse I often took when fighting with sins. The increasing death rate of coronavirus helped me to see the truth that there could be no tomorrow and I would regret not doing my best in sanctification.
I determined to make immediate plans to change the situation. I started with fasting and praying, and also fixed time for Bible reading and doctrine study. I discovered that the inner struggle got less and less as I’m doing so. No wonder one seminary teacher said that the way to beat sin is to replace it with something spiritually good.
Use given gifts for Christ
I constantly received messages and greetings from our church family during my quarantine. Their solicitude and encouragements really touched me. Able brothers and sisters helped to coordinate resources needed and influenced more people to join them. In the meantime, I learned that churches abroad also prayed for and provided aid to China. Those faithful moves overcame nationality and manifested hope among chaos.
I was a total receiver during the course. How I wish I could do something to be helpful. God gives each one of us certain gifts and they should be used to build each other up. Bearing it in mind, I began to express personal care for sisters in our small group, contribute in biblical discussions and pray for those who are in need. I believe there are more to do and God will use them for His good purpose.
Those are my findings after going through the severe virus. I made it my aim to make those improvements. I hope that He who began a good work in me will bring it to completion.
Cindy Cheng was born and brought up in central China. Cindy enjoys travelling and reading history books. Cindy is inspired by talking with local people when travelling abroad experiencing different parts of the world, as well as herself.
Cindy’s previous articles may be found at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/cindy-cheng.html
