Curves are everywhere! There are curves in baseball—Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers brought the curve ball in every game he played. Praise God for those teachers who had compassion at times and graded on the curve. Curves show up in physical structures, and some might think about the curves on the human body. The roadways we drive on have curves, some sharp and some long, and unless they are navigated at the right speed, disaster could result. The very life you live is filled with those unexpected curves, and unfortunately, doesn’t come with the familiar roadside warning signs that a sharp curve is just ahead, nor does it come with guard rails.
The coronavirus has been a sharp curve without guard rails that no one saw coming. In a day of mass shootings and terroristic attacks, you would think we would be ready for anything. You would think we would live our lives with both hands on the wheel and be prepared to hit the brakes. You would think that since we have passengers on board that we would be extra attentive to what might pull out in front of us up the road. You would think that one sharp curve would instinctively train us make us to live expecting another curve is still ahead. You might see a future with straight highways running through the middle of rolling hills and clear blue skies, but it would be wise to see the future full of sharp curves. You’ve made it through sharp curves before, so there’s no need to be fearful, but there is good reason to prepare and pay attention.
Consider the story of Jarius, who was a ruler of a synagogue who came to Jesus because his daughter was deathly ill. After Jesus agreed to go to the house of Jarius to heal his daughter, Jesus was interrupted by a woman who had an issue of blood. As Jesus ended speaking with her, a servant from Jarius’ house came with a sharp curve,
“While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s [house,] saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.” But when Jesus heard [it,] He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” Luke 8:49-50
Did you hear that? Jesus is the answer to the hard curves in our lives. As you can imagine, Jarius’ heart sunk hearing those words, but Jesus kept him on the road and his daughter was healed. Jesus didn’t heal every single person, but when we walk with Him, He can navigate us through the curves.