God and Nature Summer 2020
The COVID-19 Bucket List |
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By Angie Cornwell
Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson star in the 2007 comedy The Bucket List featuring two unlikely companions who, because of terminal cancer diagnoses, agree to spend their last months doing activities on a shared bucket list. They go sky-diving and car racing, and they even attempt to climb Mount Everest before returning home. At the end, the two characters reconcile with their respective families and find true meaning in life. This popular movie reminds us that time is precious, and we should live life to the fullest. After watching it, many people created their own bucket lists. Then came the pandemic and forced us to re-order our priorities again.
Under COVID-19 restrictions, we’ve had to suspend our bucket list dreams. We can’t even do the formerly normal things that we used to take for granted—we can’t dine out, go to theatres or concerts, go to the gym, or attend sporting events. We can’t travel for leisure or visit elderly parents, and we’ve been working from home while homeschooling our children. Those lucky enough to work from home are totally “Zoomed out,” while the less fortunate are out of work and are struggling financially. Some of us have had to handle COVID-19 patients or work with the public without adequate protection. Some have experienced profound loss yet are unable to mourn lost loved ones in the normal way. A run for groceries may be the only time some change out of pajamas during the entire week. Protection of ourselves and our families has been re-prioritized above everything else.
I’m a biologist who has always been fascinated by animals, so my own bucket list includes traveling to the Galápagos to see marine iguanas, giant tortoises, and blue-footed boobies; traveling to Borneo to see orangutans; and going to visit an elephant sanctuary. I want to join an archaeological dig and uncover lost artifacts. At the same time, I’m increasingly aware that these items are incredibly “me-focused”—they are things I want to do, rather than “God-focused,” things He wants me to do.
How do I replace my earthly bucket list with an eternal one? Millions of people are without clean drinking water, food, shelter, sanitation, and basic health care. Beyond physical needs, millions remain unsaved. Did Jesus have a bucket list? While on earth He fed the hungry, healed the sick, took care of widows, prayed and fasted, and preached truth. He touched lepers without fear of infection. He commanded us to go forth and spread the good news. He told us we would have to leave everything… father, mother, sister, brother, and give up all our possessions in order to follow Him. He gave His life out of love for us so we could be freed from our sin. So how can I abandon my figurative fishing boat and net to follow Him?
In these pandemic times, we are clinging desperately to everything that the world values: our safety and health, and those closest to us. While these things are dearly valued, I need the eternal perspective to focus on the spiritually lost. I am not guaranteed tomorrow to accomplish the work of today. I pray that my own bucket list might more reflect Kingdom values instead of earthly values as I seek to become more Christlike.
Angie Cornwell has been teaching as an Assistant Professor of Biology at Gordon College since 2014. She teaches courses such as microbiology, molecular biology, medical biotechnology, animal biology, animal physiology, and senior seminar. She serves as the faculty mentor for the student chapter of the ASA as well as for Sigma Xi-The Scientific Honor Society. She is an active member of the Danvers Church of the Nazarene in Danvers, MA, and serves on the Board as well as the worship team.
Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson star in the 2007 comedy The Bucket List featuring two unlikely companions who, because of terminal cancer diagnoses, agree to spend their last months doing activities on a shared bucket list. They go sky-diving and car racing, and they even attempt to climb Mount Everest before returning home. At the end, the two characters reconcile with their respective families and find true meaning in life. This popular movie reminds us that time is precious, and we should live life to the fullest. After watching it, many people created their own bucket lists. Then came the pandemic and forced us to re-order our priorities again.
Under COVID-19 restrictions, we’ve had to suspend our bucket list dreams. We can’t even do the formerly normal things that we used to take for granted—we can’t dine out, go to theatres or concerts, go to the gym, or attend sporting events. We can’t travel for leisure or visit elderly parents, and we’ve been working from home while homeschooling our children. Those lucky enough to work from home are totally “Zoomed out,” while the less fortunate are out of work and are struggling financially. Some of us have had to handle COVID-19 patients or work with the public without adequate protection. Some have experienced profound loss yet are unable to mourn lost loved ones in the normal way. A run for groceries may be the only time some change out of pajamas during the entire week. Protection of ourselves and our families has been re-prioritized above everything else.
I’m a biologist who has always been fascinated by animals, so my own bucket list includes traveling to the Galápagos to see marine iguanas, giant tortoises, and blue-footed boobies; traveling to Borneo to see orangutans; and going to visit an elephant sanctuary. I want to join an archaeological dig and uncover lost artifacts. At the same time, I’m increasingly aware that these items are incredibly “me-focused”—they are things I want to do, rather than “God-focused,” things He wants me to do.
How do I replace my earthly bucket list with an eternal one? Millions of people are without clean drinking water, food, shelter, sanitation, and basic health care. Beyond physical needs, millions remain unsaved. Did Jesus have a bucket list? While on earth He fed the hungry, healed the sick, took care of widows, prayed and fasted, and preached truth. He touched lepers without fear of infection. He commanded us to go forth and spread the good news. He told us we would have to leave everything… father, mother, sister, brother, and give up all our possessions in order to follow Him. He gave His life out of love for us so we could be freed from our sin. So how can I abandon my figurative fishing boat and net to follow Him?
In these pandemic times, we are clinging desperately to everything that the world values: our safety and health, and those closest to us. While these things are dearly valued, I need the eternal perspective to focus on the spiritually lost. I am not guaranteed tomorrow to accomplish the work of today. I pray that my own bucket list might more reflect Kingdom values instead of earthly values as I seek to become more Christlike.
Angie Cornwell has been teaching as an Assistant Professor of Biology at Gordon College since 2014. She teaches courses such as microbiology, molecular biology, medical biotechnology, animal biology, animal physiology, and senior seminar. She serves as the faculty mentor for the student chapter of the ASA as well as for Sigma Xi-The Scientific Honor Society. She is an active member of the Danvers Church of the Nazarene in Danvers, MA, and serves on the Board as well as the worship team.