Today's encouraging word comes from Eric, SHLC Elder...Suggested reading:  John 9:1-41Jesus' disciples ask, "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (9:2)"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." (9:3)Did God make the man blind so he could display his glory?We get tough questions from new believers and non-believers, and sometimes ask ourselves, "Why did God let this happen?"Maybe now as much as ever, with the Coronavirus, people are asking, "why is this happening?"Jesus tells us that we're asking the wrong question.Jesus does not dwell on why something happened.  He focuses on the work he came to do: to save the world; to be the light of the world."As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me.  Night is coming, when no one can work.  While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (9:4-5)The man was blind because he was born in an imperfect world.  A world fallen by sin.  That's why bad things happen.  Simple as that.  Corona virus is a natural result of an imperfect world.  It is not God punishing us.To be clear, God may choose to cause any event - what we perceive as good or bad - to bring his people back to him.  So we should be in prayer and seek His kingdom, and remember that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called to his purpose (Romans 8:28).  But we should not seek to blame him for misfortunes or ask why he "let it happen".God does answer our prayers and he does give us what we need.  We don't always understand what we need or how God provides it, and, for that reason, it doesn't always mean things go the way we want.  Yet God promises that he loves us and gives us what we need out of that abundant love.Getting back to Jesus healing the blind man:  God's work is revealed in Jesus' ability to fix our brokenness.In Jesus' time, people worked during the day.  There wasn't enough artificial light to work at night.  For Jesus, the "day" was his earthly life.  The few short years he had to do his ministry on earth that would change the broken equation forever.His mission - his work - while he was on earth was to save us from our sin, just as it is today.  The Father's plan was to send his son into the world to save us from ourselves.  Jesus knew he had to reach a certain number of people and teach his disciples while he was here, so they could become the church after he left the earthly life.Now it is our job to join him in saving the world.The message for us is:  don't get hung up on why bad things happen - or even why good things happen.  Focus on what God has done because of his love for us, what God can do, and on what good we can do in the situation.The corona virus gives us an opportunity to do the work that God prepared for us to do; to care for our neighbors - from a distance; to provide for those who cannot go out safely; to give a word of encouragement to those who are burdened by fear or loneliness.Work when it is day - when the people around us need God's grace; for the night is coming when no one can work - that is, when we no longer have the chance to reach the lost for Jesus.  Remember that you are called to do the work - to love your neighbor - not to save anybody.  Jesus will do the saving.  That's his work. Additional fun facts:

1. What is the pool at Siloam?  Historic pool was probably used for ritual cleansing (Jewish tradition) and drinking water in Jesus' time.  It was fed by a spring from outside Jerusalem and carried by an underground tunnel built by King Hezekiah in the 8th century BC when Israel was facing siege from other nations.  It held up for over 800 years!
2. The Pharisees keep badgering the formerly blind man about Jesus and how Jesus - "a sinner" - could heal him.  He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know.  One thing I do know.  I was blind but now I see!" (John 9:25)  We recognize that line as the inspiration for John Newton's most popular Christian song of all time:  Amazing Grace.  "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound/That saved a wretch like me/I once was lost but now am found/Was blind, but now, I see."