This too will pass!

May, 2020
My Dear Friends:

May letters have traditionally been a celebration of Mother’s Day, and our anniversary. But that seems so out of place with what we presently are facing, things that seem overwhelming, and certainly transcend simple repetitions of our past. This Wuhan Flu, COVID-19, Corona virus, Chinese Virus, or whatever you wish to call it has literally changing our world. And it has done so whether we wished it so or not. Regardless of political affiliations, social presumptions, whether we saw all this hysteria as necessary or not, we have been dragged into a world none of us recognize, and we have been told it is for our own good and there are no other options.
Our bustling energetic commerce was just turn off, like a light bulb. School closed and children sent home without knowing just what we really faced. And for the first time in our history churches were closed, even on Easter Sunday. I know we were told it was for our safety, to save lives, to prevent a catastrophe, and that may well be true. But now it is unlikely we will ever know whether such drastic measure saved us, or actually did our societies more harm. I do know that we cannot allow our futures to be dictated by “experts.” For invariably such “experts” lack wisdom.
Allow me to provide a personal reference; 1n 1957 as a schoolboy I was struck down with the “Hong Kong Flu.” The fever seemed to last a week, it really didn’t, but it felt like I was never going to get better. When I finally returned to school I discovered I was not alone for over a third of my school had been out sick. At the time I didn’t thank God for the experience. But I have many time since, because as a result when I contact a seasonal flu, even the common cold they never last more than a day or two. That incident 63 years ago has given me a resistance, a strengthen immune system that has served me very well, for which I thank the Lord.
Thus the restrictions and quarantine has been difficult for me. Instead, this has all brought Saint Paul to mind. Of course, whatever I have experienced falls far short of what befell Paul, but he had a similar attitude toward bad experiences, “With far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death…once I was stones, three times I have been shipwrecked…in danger from rivers, from robbers, from my own people, from Gentiles.” Paul will conclude this horrific biographical review by adding, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor.11:23,26, 12:10). What an incredible statement. He will even tell the Philippians, “In any and all circumstances I have leaned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.” (Phil.4:12-13).
Amazing, and what is his secret? Knowing Jesus, of course! He makes it possible for us to overcome any problems, obstacle, or crisis, and obviously even this pandemic. We can be strong regardless. When threatened we know we will be the victor, for the battle is His. When our churches are closed, we still know He is near to us, even nearer than before. When everything appears in disarray, all is bewildering, irrational, and near chaos, He has provided us with the strength for just such times.
We will immerge from all the mismanagement or was it over management, from the all too negative outlooks and those that probably meant well, but were perhaps overwhelmed by it all. We will all come through this, hopefully, wiser. And will be careful about trusting tyrannical and malicious regimes such as Communist China in the future. They looked only to their own image, and lied about almost everything. This may be a portent of the future, but for now as a Christian I just want to see us all prosper, be well, allowed to worship as I so want to do again, and see that is true for all nations, peoples, and tongues.

Oh, yes, this will make us stronger,

Thomas Randolf Wyatt

“THIS TOO SHALL PASS!” I began this letter using this familiar quote, not only because it fits our present crisis, but it provides a healthy perspective. It has been attributed to Abraham Lincoln, but a Jewish friend assures me it’s from Rabbinical sources, and the Eastern Monarch was King Solomon. It is said he asked for a sentence that would keep him humble when praised for times of plenty, and lift his spirit when things were not good. He was given these words, “And this too, shall pass away.” As our sixteenth president said “how much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction.”
We know these times of affliction, chaos, even fear will pass, just not fast enough for me, and surely you as well! For me too much is troubling, the many sick, those confused, out of work, and we here at the Wings of Healing struggling to meet our needs. I hope, as you pray, that you would remember this ministry, and our efforts for you, and so many others. I also want to hear from you, and know we are always here; to listen, pray earnestly for you, and uphold you as a friend. Our phone number is toll free (888) 676-3806. And I consider it a joy to take each of your needs to the Lord, even fellowship with many of you on the phone (just ask for me to call), and in our correspondence. It is our prayer always that you hear from the Lord.