Let us imagine, if we will, a world where epidemics have come and gone, where mighty science has stepped up and saved the world, one isolated individual at a time, where those who were once called introverts are the survivors and the brave and bold are seen with suspicion and rebellious.

It could be 5 years in the future, it could be 20, it could be 50 years.

But what will our future look like with social distancing, self isolation with world governments bailing out everyone and dancing on the edge of dictatorship? Will business still run on a profit motive with bottom lines being readjusted to make losses acceptable? Will Socialism take over our world, one country and crisis at a time?

Now, more than any other time in recent history, we need to take stock of our cities, towns, communities, provinces and country. Now, more than any other time, we need to look closely at those we choose to elect, at those who act on our behalf in every level of government and get involved.

This last week, the federal Liberals tried to extend their emergency powers to 21 months during this crisis. Thankfully, the opposition parties fought back. For the historians among you, Hitler assumed control during a crisis in Germany and the result was world war II, concentration camps and nuclear warfare research. The conspiracy theorists among us would say that the special interest groups with influence on the Liberal Party would truly be the power!

That is a frightful thought and worthy of another commentary.

We, as people have not changed. We go to bed, we play with our kids, call our friends, go on Facebook and some binge on Netflix or any other streaming service. We cook, clean and live, except we do all this in isolation. Our filter on the world has been dramatically altered and society’s guiding hand is now science not political correctness or a God centred thought process.

Businesses, not deemed essential to public interest, have been ordered closed. However, we can still go to grocery stores, get fuel, buy liquor and probably marijuana and go to pharmacies and medical professionals. Assemblies of more than 25 are banned and an aggressive fine program has been introduced to curb the disobedient.

But in reality when times get tough, people turn to God and prayer. With the closure of churches and increase of online services, the very source of strength and peace has seemingly been thwarted.

While we cannot meet in large gatherings to pray, we can meet God in private while we pray and read His word. Or we can meet with our family and worship together, just like believers for centuries have and do today in many countries. After all, our relationship with God is vitally important. Times like these, test and stretch us individually.

I find it interesting that south of the border, Donald Trump declared a day of prayer for the crisis, yet our leaders have defaulted to medical officers and scientists to rule the day. Some would say that the reward for seeking God and humbling ourselves is protection and blessing, while others would say that the economic progress in the US is the result of investment. It all depends on your perspective. Our economy was already in a tough state after four years of Liberal policies and a spiritually weak leader. We cannot say that the virus is necessarily a punishment, but our response to the crisis nationally and personally speak volumes about our faith and where we put our confidence.

What we do with this time is important and will alter how we recover once this pandemic is over.

Is binging on Friends or the Fast and Furious a good use of our time?

Is scanning Facebook or reading every article on Covid 19 healthy?

Our choices have never been so important because once we walk out of this social distancing, we will have to decide again what is important and how we interact with society.

There will be rejoicing and there will be celebrating worldwide. Festivals, movies, athletic events like football, baseball, hockey and soccer, farmers markets, conventions and restaurants will be booming! Our public parks, recreation facilities and walking-biking paths will be filled capacity. Golf courses will be booked dawn to dusk and then again. Our places of worship will be filled with joyful singing and friends will catch up with each others’ lives.

Yet, behind the joyful façades will be the unspoken and innate concerns that will expose the scars the worldwide crisis has left.

There will still be fear, distrust and the remnants of social distancing.

Financially, months of decreased income will still plague the financially unstable with bill payments, mortgage payments and other expenses that are fundamental to our existence. A question that will remain is where was their financial grace and forgiveness of payments or debts when our country was in difficulty despite government bailouts when they experienced very short-term pain?

Our federal government will be seen with gratitude, but their actions will always be seen with suspicion and distrust.

Just as someone has said, after world war I, North America experienced a decade of growth and debauchery. Given the state of our world today, I find it difficult to imagine a lowering of standards for the sake of distraction and entertainment.

The questions and changes to our lives will be never ending, but in the end.

There will always be constants: our family-spouse, children, grand children and grandparents, work and social friends, hobbies and interests. We will travel and yes Disneyland, World and Europe will reopen.

But, as we enter the new post coronavirus world, we will still have God, the eternal and everlasting who was the same the day before the first case was reported, and the day after an immunization will be announced.

Instead of viewing the world through science and politically correct lenses that changes as we become less discerning and more fearful, we need to view this time through the eyes of God, who tells us that He is in control. Without the hope of the Gospel, we are doomed to a future steadily spiraling to destruction at the hands of our base desires.

Choose wisely, your future depends on it.

Monty Python and Medicine Hat