*Edit: Some of the following may already be “outdated” and therefore not advisable, but like the Bible says, “Test all things; hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Anthrax, West Nile, Bird Flu, Swine Flu, E. coli, Ebola, ISIS, Zika, and now the Coronavirus. The news is always sensationalizing something. Sneeze into your elbow, wash your hands, sleep, eat healthy, and exercise. Despite doing all of that, if you get sick, you get sick and in a few days you’ll feel better. Pray for those that do, but most people will not get the Coronavirus. We can take some precautions, but many people are unknowingly carriers of germs without getting sick themselves and can still spread them. We can control some things, but illness only to a certain extent. I can understand the secular world going into a panic. They don’t have God. But what’s going on with some of my brothers and sisters in Christ? Where is your faith? Trust in God who is working all things out for good (Romans 8:28). Will worry add an hour or anything to your life (see Matthew 6:27)? God cares for the sparrows, He cares for you, and He cares for your loved ones (see Matthew 6:26-34). When the disciples feared during the storm, Jesus woke up and calmed the waves (see Matthew 8:23-27 and Mark 4:38-40). Remember that God is sovereign over everything and He does care. God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). David went up against Goliath with a rock. Moses went against the Pharaoh and Egypt with just his staff. Daniel was not afraid to go into the Lion’s den. All of them knew God was on their side. When Ananias went to heal Paul’s eyes at Damascus, God told him that He’d show Paul, his “chosen instrument,” just how much he had to suffer for Him (see Acts 9). Even though he was beaten, jailed, and persecuted to the end, Paul was ready. “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Philippians 1:20). He was serving God without fear, boldly proclaiming the truth, and knew that the ultimate risk was death and even then all he wanted to do was honor Christ. “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). Paul remained for “fruitful labor,” for the “progress and joy in the faith” of the other believers (Philippians 1:22, 25). He would rather be in heaven with God, but he knew he had work to do and he did it with joy. Even if he died, it would all be for God and his glory. “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in heaven” (2 Corinthians 5:1). If we live, glory to God and if we die, then still glory to God because we get to go home. Jesus went to heal the sick. Mother Theresa was around the sick and dying and they called her a saint even while she was alive. The disciples were scared until the Holy Spirit empowered them to go forth and share the gospel. It doesn’t seem right to become hermits and hide from the watching secular world. Instead of joining in the panic, wouldn’t it stand out more if you showed how calm you were? Wouldn’t they wonder and ask how you can be so calm? That would be an excellent opportunity to share about the hope we have in Jesus. If you are still scared, then perhaps it is time to stop watching the sensationalist news, read your Bible, and pray for the Holy Spirit to give you peace and help you trust that whatever happens is in God’s plans. Sometimes our plans are different, but His are the ones that will happen in the end. If He is calling someone to Himself, remember that He knew them since before they were born. God made them and knows the smallest of details like how many hairs are on their head. You only knew them after they grew up. How much more do you think He loves them? It’s out of our hands, so trust it’s for the best. “For I know the plans I have for you. Plans for your welfare, not for woe. Plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). We who believe have eternal life and one day there will be no more pain, suffering, or tears (see Revelation 21:4). So stop running away from people and fantasizing about spraying them with a can of Lysol... We ought to go to the sick in love and care for them. Bring them some soup or a box of Kleenex. I’m sure you’d appreciate the same if it was you that was sick. This is especially important if they are not a believer. “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time” (Colossians 4:5). Just before that, Paul was saying to pray “that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:3). How can we do that if we are avoiding people instead of serving them in love? Unless you’re a doctor, I don’t mean you have to go out in search of them, but if you come across someone or know a friend, family member, or neighbor that’s sick then there might be something you can do besides run the other direction. Like if you’re going to the store, call and see if your elderly neighbor needs something. Work in childcare? Aid a toddler that may need some help wiping their nose. Only one man, the good Samaritan, aided the wounded man (see Luke 10:25-37). Would you be one of the ones to just walk by? Whatever you do to the least of these you do to Jesus (see Matthew 25:40). Jesus was God, but think then what would Paul do? Honor Christ whether by life or death. We obey Ceasar to an extent, but God and His plans always come first. Jesus said give unto Ceasar what is Ceasar’s, but also to go and do likewise showing mercy like the good Samaritan. As Paul said, make the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5). Again, God knows what each of us can do and to those than are given much he expects much. If you were given less, then you do what you can with that (see the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30). I’m not trying to tell you what to do or how to do it, just to consider the ways that God has blessed you and how you can use that for His glory. I am also not saying that if you’re scared that’s wrong. We all have different fears and strengths and we’ve got to encourage one another. I have written about some of my fears and sometimes I need reminders myself. We are all different parts of the body with different functions. If you don’t cook, maybe send them a message or a card to encourage them. Cover somebody with a blanket or give them one if they don’t have one. If “one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” (James 2:16). I also don’t mean for people that are already “at-risk” like with compromised immune systems, the elderly, people that can’t afford to get sick because they’re living paycheck to paycheck, etcetera to do something that could hurt their families. Take everybody and everything into consideration. If the least you can do at this point is to pray for the sick, then start there. If you know you can do more, then take advantage of the opportunity to be God’s hands and light in the world. Whether in sickness or in health, may God’s peace be with you now and always. Comments are closed.
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DisclaimerWhile I love open discussions, not all internet users are kind. I'd like to build people up, not have others cut people down. Therefore, no comments, but feel free to email me if there's something you'd like to share with me. Archives
July 2020
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