Debunking “We’re All in the Same Boat”

We aren’t all in the same boat.

Summer, spring, fall, winter. One thing hasn’t changed through this time and that’s that we arent all in the same boat.

Mothers are getting to spend workdays with children. Fathers don’t have to travel as much. Family meals get to be around a table again. We get to be more intentional with our priorities because the world around us isn’t doing it for us. It’s uncomfortable to be pushed to find your own time with God when small groups aren’t meeting and Sunday services have been cancelled. We are so far out of our comfort zone we can’t even study someone else’s as a guidebook to follow. All we have to cling to is faith. Jobs aren’t secure, money isn’t secure, routines aren’t secure. We can’t half heartedly or subconsciously go through the motions in which our identities have become so engrained. We have been forced to become intentional about every little purchase, every little outing, every little touch, every little interaction. We have been forced to be intentional friends instead of catching up while watching basketball games or whenever-you’re-free, we-should-do-this-more-often weekend trips. We’ve been forced to be intentional grandchildren because we know in the back of our minds grandma hasn’t seen anyone othe r than herself in 4 days, and that’s going to continue for an undetermined time. We feel guilt for having a more secure situation than some, but we wince in painful jealousy at the ones seemingly untouched by the unjust fingers of the pandemic.
Everyone keeps saying we’re all in the same boat, and that is totally untrue. I have thankfully been in a very fortunate position during this time as far as job security and income security is concerned, but it’s only made me wish I’d bitten my tongue when I complained about having ungrateful students or difficult meetings. It’s made me realize how much I loved my job exactly how it was, and not at all how it is now. This experience has made me realize a lot about myself because of the amount of time I’ve been able to dedicate to self reflection and growth.

This isn’t everyone’s story. This isn’t everyone’s boat. There are moms working from home with 3 kids wanting to make slime rather than complete schoolwork, and she lets them because if she doesn’t make this sale she has a better chance of facing a lay-off. While all of us are running away from the burning building, there are nurses, doctors, janitors, and first responders running into it trying to cushion the blows of the pandemic. There are grandmothers and grandfathers, uncles, and aunts living alone and more isolated than they’ve ever been before. There are women and men everywhere unemployed who can’t get anyone on the phone to receive their last stitch of hope for financial security.

There are people suffering; there are people thriving; and there are people everywhere in between. Our cards were not dealt evenly. And like I said before, in a time where everything is unsure, it only further illuminates the One who has always been truly the only secure thing we’ve had in our lives.

It’s both reassuring and completely terrifying to realize how much faith we had in the false security this world has to offer, whether it be our jobs, routines, homes, or heath. Faith in God’s promises is the one thing that can stand in a time like this. He’s the the one thing that won’t fail us.

Praying that we find peace in that truth.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” - Hebrews 10:23

COVID Holy Week

Everyone keeps talking about how we need to fix our eyes on Jesus during this time, especially today, and I couldn’t agree more. But there’s something I heard this past week that has clung to my heart.

The time that we are in right now closely mirrors the first Holy Week. During the week of Jesus’ crucifixion and eventual resurrection, people didn’t know who to believe or what to have faith in. The government leaders were saying one thing while the disciples were saying another, and then religious leaders even joined forces with the government. Heck, even the disciples didn’t agree. Some of them remained steadfast in their faith, but some doubted, and one blatantly betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. 

Early in the week, there was Palm Sunday. People welcomed Jesus with applause and praise. John cites that many of the people who welcomed him were there because they had heard about his miracles, including raising Lazarus from the dead. A few days later, many people started to lose faith as the Pharisees got more aggressive and Jesus warned that his death was drawing near. It became more and more aberrant to remain a believer, at least a vocal one: “many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it” (John 12:42).

There was so much unknown. People were petrified. Comfort zones were rocked or completely obliterated. Yet, Jesus’ promises were consistent. He told them how he was going to die, why he was going to die, why he needed to die, and what was going to happen afterwards. 

We must cling to this in our present circumstances. Jesus promises resurrection. Jesus promises he will do good to those who love him. Jesus promises a hope and future. Jesus promises salvation through faith. Jesus promises that there is a plan, and it is good.

If we look to the disciples, we can also find alignment. Even though comfort levels were shattered, personal preferences were (seemingly) ignored, and their leader was going to be publicly humiliated and crucified, they remained faithful. Something that I have learned through this simultaneous Holy Week and pandemic is that unknown does not equal unfaithful. I’ve heard myself and so many others verbalize statements like “I don’t know what’s going to happen” or even “this can’t end well”. We don’t have to lose faith just because we lose a predictable future. Remain steadfast. Verbalize your faith. We will be resurrected. It has been promised.

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