It’s Good to be a Carrier
Holy Ghost Filled Believers are Carriers of Power and Hope
During this COVID-19 health crisis, we have become all too familiar with certain words that have gained prominence as the pandemic has increased. We all wish that we had never heard of a coronavirus. I learned that viruses of this type are called corona – from the Latin meaning crown – because the fringes of the virus look like crowns when examined under a microscope.
Social distancing is another term that is now on everyone’s lips, that was previously obscure or did not exist. We know the term because social distancing is one of the few effective means of combating the spread of COVID-19. Given how deeply the pandemic has cut into how we conduct our everyday lives – at least for the time being – we are not likely to forget the phrase any time soon. Another term that has risen in prominence over the last few weeks is carrier.
The word carrier simply refers to persons or things that carry something. With regard to COVID-19, a carrier is a person who carries the germ in them but is asymptomatic. They are infected but don't know they are because they have no cough, no fever, no breathing problem, nor any of the symptoms that signal that they have the disease.
One of the remarkable things about the COVID-19 crisis is the number of people that are asymptomatic carriers of the disease. Because they don’t know they are sick, they unwittingly spread the disease simply because they don’t know that they need to quarantine.
As I was thinking about the prevailing situation, the Lord brought a thought to my mind: being a carrier is not always a bad or dangerous thing. The fact is that we who are filled with the Holy Ghost are carriers. We carry power and hope within us because of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible makes it clear to us that when we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, He lives in us. The teachings of Apostle Paul are particularly helpful in understanding that the Holy Spirit lives in us, and the benefit that we receive because He resides on the inside. Examine what Paul writes to the church at Rome.
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Romans 8:11)
This verse tells us that the Holy Spirit lives in us and reveals that one of the benefits of that indwelling is new life. The word quicken means to revive or restore life. So, if we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are given new life spiritually as we live in the present. But, if we happen to have passed away before Jesus comes back for the church, that same spirit will enable us to rise from the grave in the rapture.
However, we know that the Holy Spirit is working in us right now. We have power not only to do the Lord's work because of the spiritual gifts with which He endows us. But we have the ability within us to deal with life’s challenges, even those that are unique to the pandemic.
The impact of the pandemic has left people worried as to what the future holds for them. But the Lord promised us peace of mind through the Holy Spirit. Jesus said,
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Peace is one of the attributes that are inherent in the Holy Spirit. So, if we have the Holy Spirit, we have access to great peace. How do we tap into that peace? Prayer and meditation. In moments of stress, it is essential for us to take a step back and commune with God for a few minutes. Because He promised us peace, He will give you what He promised.
When He gives us peace, it is important for us to remember that we are carriers of hope to the world around us. Hear what Peter says to the believer,
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15)
This pandemic has shaken people to the core, and they are looking for something to help them through the crisis, as well as something to give them hope for their future. We carry genuine assurance in us. We are filled with the Holy Spirit. We have the power to help us through this moment, and we have the hope that the world desperately needs.
You have something that the unbeliever does not have. You are a carrier. You are a carrier of power and hope. That is a wonderful thing.