New COVID Variant Omicron – Reason for Encouragement
And, it happens again. The World Health Organization just announced a new COVID variant Omicron as a VOC or Variant of Concern. This variant first appeared in South Africa and has spread to at least three other nations. Yet, there is reason for encouragement. I’ll explain that below. First, the variant.
New COVID Variant Omicron
Here are a few key statements from the news yesterday:
It is also incredibly heavily mutated. Prof Tulio de Oliveira, the director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation in South Africa, said there was an “unusual constellation of mutations” and that it was “very different” to other variants that have circulated. …
In a media briefing Prof de Oliveira said there were 50 mutations overall and more than 30 on the spike protein, which is the target of most vaccines and the key the virus uses to unlock the doorway into our body’s cells.
Zooming in even further to the receptor binding domain (that’s the part of the virus that makes first contact with our body’s cells), it has 10 mutations compared to just two for the Delta variant that swept the world.
The conclusion interestingly reads:
So for now we are left with a variant that raises significant concerns despite huge holes in our knowledge, and is one that needs to be watched closely and asks deep questions about what to do and when.
Essentially, scientists confirm that there is a variant. However, the severity of it and most other things we do not know.
Reason for Encouragement
No doubt, this variant and others like it bring with them fear for many. The thoughts of lockdowns or other measures to protect ourselves as a world population from another string of virus potentially discourages you. However, reason for encouragement exists.
Enter Jesus and Luke.
As Jesus prepared to leave the earth during His first advent, He discusses many things with His disciples. Some of what He said related to the future. Let me point out one particular exchange of importance.
7 So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”
8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. 9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”
10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. (Luke 21:7-12)
As Jesus talked with His disciples, He explained what was going to happen. I only included a few verses here; however, you can catch the full exchange in Luke 21.
Jesus explained pestilences and many other fearful things in His description. As He did, He also said, “…do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”
What does He mean and Why reason for encouragement?
Jesus gave His disciples a long-view of time. He explained what was going to happen between His death until A.D. 70; further, He explained what would happen between A.D. 70 and His second advent. When He returns, He will usher in the end times with the ultimate result the eternal state.
He gave these details for arguably one specific reason: Jesus explained these things in this detail to provide encouragement for His disciples. He sought to build up their faith in God’s plan. Jesus, of course, knew God’s plan and lived in light of God’s providential control and greater timeline of human events. Therefore, He did not fear like we tend to do. He did not live with constant anxiety. Why? Because He knew, understood, and trusted God’s plan.
That is why God shared these glimpses of human history with us as well. He did not give us all the details. In one sense, just mountain top views of the future with all kinds of valleys and hills in between; however, He still provided something. For what purpose? To enable us to persevere. He did not want us looking around at the crazy events happening throughout the world and becoming overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, or worry. Instead, He explicitly said to not be afraid.
What shall we do then with this new variant and other world news?
We trust God. As Jesus said, the end is not yet. God’s plan includes the end and all the variations in between.
Yes, respond to the news with whatever wisdom you have, which is true for all of life including pandemics. We do not know how this variant will go. God did not provide us with that particular detail.
However, do not respond with fear, anxiety, worry, or panic. Why? Because pestilences are in the plan Jesus announced. That plan continues as it has for 2,000 plus years. We rest in the fact that we can trust God.
Evidently, yes, there is a new COVID variant Omicron that has hit the streets; however, there is reason for encouragement from Jesus.