It sounds like a slogan for a weight loss program, but it has an entirely different meaning since the coronavirus crept into our world and forced lockdowns of schools, churches, businesses, and even family gatherings since March 2020. The word “curve” in the term flattening the curve refers to the projected number of people who will contract the coronavirus. It is actually two curves on a graph that show the spread of the virus with and without protective measures, like social distancing.
I prefer to reflect more on God’s flattened curves than the medical world’s. For instance, consider that until Adam bit into the apple, our sin curve was non-existent. How rapidly that changed after his indulgence in a delicious bite of fruit! Immediately he and Eve knew they were in trouble. A sin curve of guilt and shame swallowed their innocence, and things (bad things) began to crop up everywhere. God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and their blissful life in Paradise ended in homelessness. Stressing over what to wear became a new and troubling reality as they realized they were naked. Yikes. Securing employment in their world became necessary for survival, and things, in general, did not come easy for them anymore. Like the serpent that started it all, the sin curve for mankind slithered out of its basket into the marketplace of humanity and grew in giant increments as fear, hatred, murder, perversion, selfishness, greed, and idolatry (to name a few) crept into the hearts of men and women.
Man left to himself is a hopeless train wreck. Adam and Eve knew that the moment they disobeyed God and took things into their own hands. They unleashed the uncontrollable sin curve every one of us is subject to when we are without Jesus Christ. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23 NKJV). That’s pretty bleak. But our loving Heavenly Father has flattened the sin curve, for since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity, He put us in right standing with Himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where He always wanted us to be. And He did it by means of Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:23-24 MSG).
And that’s how God flattened the curve. He’ll flatten yours if you ask Him to. How wonderful it is to have a God who is crazy about us—crazy enough to flatten our bulging sin curves! The blood of Jesus, God’s Son, cleanses us from ALL sin. (1 John 1:7 NLT). What’s your bulging curve? Fear? Selfishness? Pride? Hatred? Jealousy? Love of money? Addiction? Depression? Let the blood of Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross flatten your curves. Just simply talk to Him and ask for His help. It’s such a great feeling to be flattened by the Lord’s unconditional love and forgiveness.
© 2021 Chris Werre