Paschal said, “The sole cause of man’s unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room.”

It is the rare citizen of the world who is not sequestered, quarantined, sheltering in place until the Corona Virus burns itself out. I’m wondering if this microscopic bug hasn’t handed us an odd opportunity. We must all stay in our room.

Quiet. Opportunity.

Our leaders tell us isolation is the best plan. For how long, they don’t know.

Pascal continued: “Man is obviously made for thinking. Therein lies all his dignity and his merit; and his whole duty is to think as he ought” (Pensées).

You have permission—a mandate—to stay in your room. Seize this moment and think as you ought.

That idea, concern, initiative. Call upon God to guide you. Be quiet.

Isaiah observed, “In quietness and trust is your strength” (30:15). Seize this moment.