Day 3,134

The Conley Quarantine: Day 9

Some truly sweet things have come from our Corona Quarantine. This being one of them. The kids love watching Daddy do “workout.” What was once a sort of an elusive mystery to them is now being performed in front of their own eyes in their own garage and EVERYONE is loving it. Now the curiosity of where Daddy goes and what Daddy does every morning he’s gone from Mommy’s cozy bed is something they can see with their own eyes if they only take a right out of their room instead of continuing on straight into ours. 

And while there are many incredible blessings coming from our time in quarantine, maintaining any semblance of work preparedness has only gotten more and more difficult. To the point where even the Little League park that Adam can barely properly throw his bullpens on in the first place, has now been locked shut. And so, we found ourselves on a small hill just outside of the gate, jimmy rigging a simulation of a bullpen that just isn’t going to cut it in the end. 

At least our kids weren’t screaming on top of it, I guess? Thanks, Charlotte’s Web. 

In the grand scheme of things, regardless of how I choose to view this “pandemic,” and regardless of Adam not having an “essential” job, and regardless of us being unable to worship God as an assembled church, this world - myself and my family included - has a far, FAR greater “silent enemy” to confront than the Coronavirus. And that enemy is called SIN. And it’s all of our worst problems. And it’s all of our very worst enemies. It is this sin that separates us from Creator God Almighty. For eternity if we do not repent and trust Christ as Savior.  And yesterday, we were reminded of just how wretched our sin is in front of a holy God. Good Friday - the day Jesus bore my sins on the cross, suffering the wrath due me, though he was himself sinless - was a sobering day for us as we considered the crucifixion of our Lord some 2,000 years ago, accomplished exactly as prophecy recorded for over a thousand years. 

How we respond to Coronavirus matters today. How we respond to Christ matters for eternity. I pray you consider the Truths found at the foot of the cross and find yourself in awe of the great love the Father has for us. 

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

By Stuart Townend

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss –
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart –
His wounds have paid my ransom.