Our world, our nation, our communities, and our church\u2026we all find ourselves in new territory\u2026beyond the map\u2026off the beaten path. We\u2019ve never been in a situation quite like this before. It\u2019s an uncertain and ambiguous time for leadership, parenting, medicine, business, finance, education\u2026every facet of life.\xa0
It\u2019s human nature to \u201chuddle\u201d together in times of uncertainty. Historically, in catastrophic moments like war or like the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, we were drawn to be together. We want to connect. We want community. We finally realize our deep need for each other.\xa0
Research has shown that in nearly every significant moment of national uncertainty\u2026whether it was the Great Depression or the more recent Great Recession or in times of war or after 9/11, attendance to church and attendance to movie theaters rises dramatically. Why? People go to the movies in times of crisis to escape the harshness of reality. People go to church to find refuge and connect with the eternal, something that transcends the fragile present.
The current extremes with this pandemic are panic or denial. It\u2019s hard to find someone with a sensible balance. On the one hand, panic has sent our financial markets into chaos and has many people hoarding staple goods like it\u2019s the end of the world. On the other hand, some are shrugging their shoulders, as if this is not a significant event and basically ignoring simple precautions that would greatly limit the spread of the virus.\xa0
One of the core values of Northplace Church is \u201cbalance.\u201d In a world full of extremes, our trust in the Sovereign hand of God enables us to live centered, balanced lives, even in the face of situations like we find ourselves in today. Living without fear and approaching moments like these with an unshakable trust in God says more about Him to the \u201cwatching world\u201d than 10,000 sermons. If our faith isn\u2019t strong enough to sustain us with hope in moments like these, can it be a legitimate faith?
We started the year with a series about leadership. Much of what is happening in our world right now is \u201creactionship.\u201d But God has called his people to offer hope-filled leadership and be a stabilizing force when the ground seems to be giving way.
Recorded on March 14, 2020
Speaker: Bryan Jarrett
2800 Pleasant Valley Rd
Sachse, TX 75048