This pandemic has revealed a lot about humans. One of the primary lessons has been how quick we adapt to changing circumstances, both in good and bad ways. Schools have quickly transitioned to online learning, doctors have switched to telehealth appointments, churches are streaming their services, etc. While we have relatively quickly become used to these new approaches, unfortunately it seems that we have grown comfortable with the horrible nature of COVID-19.
In early March, people were shocked when Italy was reporting over 200 COVID-19 deaths per day. Now a little more than a month later, over the United States has over 2,000 COVID-19 deaths per day (about 8,000 daily deaths worldwide) and it barely registers. Even though most people understand the that the death toll is horrible, it is no longer shocking. More than that, many people have shifted their focus on getting life back to normal – even though many places in America are still experiencing an increase in deaths. It is evident that we have become desensitized.
This is similar to how sin works. At first we find it horrific and wrestle against it, but eventually we normalize it so we can move on with our lives. Before we know it, our hearts become hard as we are desensitized to the pain it causes to others and to ourselves. Thankfully God has promised to make our hearts tender again so that we can get back to how life should be. He says, “I will also put a new spirit in you to change your way of thinking. I will take out the heart of stone from your body and give you a tender, human heart. I will put my Spirit inside you and help you live by my rules and carefully obey my laws” (Ezekiel 36:26-27). May we become more sensitive to the effects of sin as we allow God to give us a new heart!