SPIRITUAL CALIBRATION
Oleh:
Juserdi S. Purba M.Th – Dosen STT LETS Bekasi
It has been six months after a positive case of Covid 19 was first discovered in Indonesia, namely in Depok. Two women, aged 64 and 31, were confirmed positive for Covid 19, through an official announcement by the Indonesian government. Then mid of March, the call to work from home began to be socialized. The terms social/physical distancing, face mask, hand sanitizer, etc. are starting to become very familiar to us.
At first everyone was still shocked and then various statements and forecasts emerged in the following weeks. Many predict that in June-July the positive curve for Covid 19 will begin to slope. However, what was widely used at that time (May 2020) was the estimate issued by the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). By using the SIR (Susceptible-Infected-Recovered) model combined with the updated daily data of the corona virus from various countries (including Indonesia), SUTD said that the Covid 19 outbreak will end on 7 October 2020 with a deviation of 14.9 days.
Currently when this article was completed at the end of September 2020, the increase in the positive number of Covid 19 is high, even higher than the previous weeks and months. The Large-scale Social Restrictions was initially enforced, then relaxed to become a transitional Large-scale Social Restrictions for several periods, but then returned to the strict Large-scale Social Restrictions (especially in Jakarta province) again in order to respond to the increasing positive numbers that have surged in recent weeks.
Many uncertainties occur, even with the use of exact science with data-based scientific methodology. Then what lessons need to be taken if this is related to our spirituality?
When this global pandemic came, we believed that nothing would happen without God’s permission. And if God allows something to happen, we believe that there is God’s purpose for it. We immediately remembered the word of God in Romans 8:28 (NKJV) which says: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purposes.
In the midst of this situation, we long to be closer to God and long to know His purpose and plans. We long for God to use our life more and more as a tool of His glory. We realized the limitations of our mind. Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete (1 Cor 13:9, New Living Translation). My understanding is incomplete now (1 Cor 13:12, The Passion Translation). For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice? (Romans 11:34, New Living Translation). We long for God to continue to fill our life with His love and mercy. We increasingly yearn to be in His presence always.
We realized how much we must surrender to God and rely more on Him. When we face uncertain situations like now, we really realize how limited we are, and we need to rely completely on that infinite God. Like Moses who was very aware of his inability to walk alone leading the Israelites while in the wilderness. We remember what Moses said in Exodus 33:15 (NKJV): If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.
We have to open ourself to God so that He can continue to change our life as He wants. We are reminded of one familiar word in the laboratory, which is calibration. To calibrate means to standardize (something, such as a measuring equipment) by determining the deviation from a standard so as to ascertain the proper correction factors (Merriam-Webster). Calibration refers to the act of evaluating and adjusting the precision and accuracy of measurement equipment. Calibration is needed to ensure that the results of measurements carried out are accurate and consistent.
And now, how about spiritual calibration? Ephesians 5:15 (Amplified Bible) said: Therefor see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people].
That’s why the psalmist says: Examine me, God, from head to foot, order your battery of tests. Make sure I’m fit inside and out (Psalms 26:2, The Massage). Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong – then guide me on the road to eternal life (Psalms 139:23-24, The Massage).
This extraordinary situation becomes like a time for us to reset, to be adjusted, to be spiritually calibrated. The direction and purpose of our life are straightened out, our motivations are purified, our way of thinking is changed and renewed. What we rely on must be Him who does not change when everything can change and shake. What are as our pride needs to be evaluated.
We believe that everything stays under God’s control and God does not leave us alone because He has said: Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored and I have loved you (Isaiah 43:4, NKJV).
We need patience and endurance to keep looking to God and running to God’s name. As Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV) said: The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run ti it and are safe.
Now we see that the instruction to stay at home and work from home six months ago has become a kind of retreat, alone with God. Like the time of preparation for the big harvest. We pray that all of us, will participate in this harvest time.
As in the Chinese language, the word “crisis” is composed of two characters, one representing danger and the other, opportunity. Amid this crisis, we believe, this is the primetime for a movement of God and we of course want to be there.
Daftar Pustaka
Alkitab. Lembaga Alkitab Indonesia 2012