Don’t Waste Your Quarantine
What Paul can teach us about how to spend time in isolation
Links to tools and resources are at the bottom of this page.
As a 7 on the Enneagram, the thought of isolation is terrible. I’m the type that is continually on the go and wanting to try new things and experiences. On vacation, while my wife chilling on beach with a good book, I’m trying to bust out the agenda so we can hit the snorkeling adventure, zip line tour, ATV excursion, and volleyball tournament all in the same day. So, a “stay at home order” during a pandemic sounds like hell to me.
Luckily, the Lord is patient, even with 7’s like me. In prayer and in the re-reading of The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero, I’ve been forced to wrestle with the question, “What does the Lord want to do in me and through me during quarantine?” And that question led me to the book of 2 Timothy.
Scholars believe that the book of 2 Timothy is the final letter that Paul wrote before being executed in Rome. It’s his “parting words” if you will. He’s writing from prison to his dear friend and disciple Timothy. But this wasn’t prison as we know it. Prisoners had to rely entirely on friends and family for their provision. They had to be brought food, clothing, resources, medical care…everything. This was actually Paul’s second time under a Roman sentence. He had already had a stint in “house arrest.”
Paul was in a sense “in quarantine.” When I saw some of the similarities between his position and ours, especially for those in high risk categories, I knew his writings would speak rather prophetically to our current predicament.
Take a moment to read from 2 Timothy 4,
Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia,Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:9–18 ESV)
This is not a passage that is preached on very often. We normally don’t focus to intently on the instructions and greetings Paul gives at the end of his letters. But I think there are several things we should take note of in this section.
One, Paul relies on those closest to him in his most difficult and isolating season. When so many abandoned him when things got tough, he counted on Timothy, Luke, and Mark. You might call this his discipleship group. Their relationship was mutually beneficial. Paul needed their companionship, physical provision, and ministry partnership and they needed his Biblical knowledge, prophetic words, and Kingdom strategy.
Two, Paul used his time to learn. He asked specifically for the “books” which could have been Old Testament Scripture, the Torah, or other writings. Whatever they were, it’s obvious that Paul continued to increase his knowledge until the very end. This is a man who had previously been a Pharisee and likely had much of the Old Testament memorized. But he was never satisfied. He wanted to continually grow in the knowledge of an infinite God.
And finally, Paul made disciple makers. Above all, he needed his parchment. He needed something to write on so that he could continue influencing others with the message of the Gospel. He used whatever technology was available to him to make disciples that make disciples. I love how, from prison, Paul sends Tychicus to the church at Ephesus. From a jail cell, Paul is sending out orders like a general, and impacting large, fast growing church networks. That’s influence!
Paul had meaning, purpose, and an identity in quarantine. Jesus was with him. Jesus gave him strength. And as long as Paul was connected to Jesus, Jesus was going to continue using him in mighty ways.
So, what about you? How are you spending your quarantine? Is it possible that the Lord has something more for you than binging The Walking Dead for the umpteenth time?
If we take our cue from Paul, I suggest doing these things. You’ll see links to tools and resources at the bottom of this post to help you get going:
1. Call your friends. I know it’s simple. But seriously, increase the amount of time you spend talking to your closest friends and community. Don’t succumb to loneliness and isolation. You need your friends more than ever, and they need you. Facetime, Skype, Google Hangout, Marco Polo…use whatever technology is out there to grow in your relationships. Be honest about your anxiety and stress right now. Encourage and pray for one another.
2. Learn something new. Is there a book you’ve been saying you need to read but haven’t picked it up yet? Do you spend time leading others but rarely focus on growing as a leader yourself? Have you been intending to learn a new language but just haven’t gotten around to it? Now’s the time. No more excuses.
3. Practice Spiritual Disciplines. You will melt your brain if all you do is look at screens several weeks on end (it’s science!). Pick up a physical Bible and spend some time in silence and prayer.
What if what the Lord really wants during quarantine is for you to spend more time with Him? That would be a few weeks or months well spent!
Even if you already practice spiritual disciplines, what would it look like for you to increase time with the Lord right now?
4. Make Disciples. Who has the Lord entrusted to you? Your kids, employees, neighbors, small group, church? Now is not the time to take a break from pouring into these people! Use this time to show them how they can be strengthened by the Lord during this season. And forward tools and resources to them so they can help others so the same.
The Lord strengthened Paul in prison so that he could preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. I believe he wants to do the same thing in me. And he wants to do the same thing in you. Don’t waste your quarantine!
Tools & Resources
“Gospel Method” — How to see the Gospel as you read the Bible
Video Bible Study Library — RightNow Media (If you’re a member of Fielder Church and need to create an account CLICK HERE)
Read Slow: A collection of 15 of the best chapters and meditations on anxiety
Video Conferencing — Zoom.Us
New City Catechism — 52 questions and answers to help kids and adults memorize core doctrine.
How to Create Neighborhood Care Packages
