Justin March leads the Bethany Lutheran Church Men’s Ministry and sends a weekly email message to the Men’s group every week.  Justin has generously permitted us to post his weekly reflections here.  

32 days. As we headed into overtime, the Pepsi Center was deafening! Our beloved Avalanche had given up the lead, with just seconds remaining in regulation, and the crowd was shocked at how fast victory could be taken away from us. But that didn’t stop the fans from cheering, and even though it was past 11:00 PM, nobody was leaving the arena. It was time for the boys to lace up their skates, re-group, and get ready to defeat those Rangers! This was our house, and the hope that we would still come out on top was very much alive!

That was 32 days ago. The Avalanche got the win, Steve and I were fortunate to see it live, and it was an evening I will always remember. But as we left the Pepsi Center that night, the world was already changing around us. The coronavirus had plagued the NBA, games were being cancelled, and players were being quarantined. Rumors of other infestations were abundant, and sports writers were saying the seasons were in jeopardy. And the hope of the Nuggets and Avalanche doing well in the playoffs, was instantaneously shattered by a force we could not see.

That was 32 days ago. 32 days of never leaving my neighborhood, 32 days of cancelled events, and 32 days of isolation from the family and friends I love! That Avalanche game seems like a lifetime ago, and I never would have guessed that this event would be my last for quite some time. But something has happened in these 32 days.

32 days ago, God took off my blinders to give me a fresh perspective on a world changing before my eyes. As the virus became real, and the news became dire, he knew I would become fearful of what comes next. But what he also knew, was that he could give me hope. He would make the flowers bloom and the trees sprout new buds in the hope that Spring was right around the corner. He would introduce me to neighbors I have never met in the hope that we would someday become friends and fellowship together. And he would bring our family closer in the hope that our bonds would strengthen, and we would spend more time together.

32 days. God has shown me plenty, in these 32 days, to keep my hope alive. He has shown me that people will come together to make sure others have groceries. He has shown me that we can still have church, even though we are segregated and unable to commune in person. He has shown me that people can howl at the moon, have virtual meetings, and find alternative ways to stay connected. And he has shown me that there is hope in the Bible readings I have more time to read, in the prayers I have more time to pray, and in the journey I have more time to travel.

Yes, my friends, it has been 32 days. But today is Easter Sunday, and the hope in Jesus’ resurrection is all we need! So, celebrate with loved ones, remember what God sacrificed so that we could be saved from sin, and share this good news with everyone you encounter! This virus may take many things away from us, but the victory of Jesus’ resurrection is not one of them!