Today on the news I watched the governor of New York (the state hit hardest by the pandemic) saying that the cycle of contagion and death has hit a plateau in the state. He is counseling continued caution, but there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.
Other places in the country are on a different timeline, and are feeling the effects of COVID-19 at a different level than New York. It is interesting to consider how the nation has responded to the disease. Because citizens are by and large acting responsibly, we seem to be flattening the curve.
Some are calling upon all to follow closely the CDC guidelines. Some are being much more cautious, fearing the consequences of the disease. Some are being extremely irresponsible, thinking themselves invincible, unconcerned with the possible fallout of their actions. Some are acting illegally. (One woman went into a store, and purposefully coughed on thousands of dollars of groceries, causing a large financial loss for the store, and a garnering for herself a criminal charge). Some are fully trusting the government, while others are claiming that conspiracies and power grabs are everywhere.
Some are being extremely generous and civil minded. (Most, in fact). Some are being extremely unkind and judgmental. From what I can see over social media, there are Christians in both camps! “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?” (James 3:1-11).
My greatest concern is not the physical welfare of God’s people, but their spiritual welfare. I am concerned about the possibility of unkindness, of selfishness, of strife, of arrogance, of apathy, of digression, of apostasy, of false teaching, of judgmentalism, of various sins that emanate from idle hands. I am grateful for opportunities to show love, faith, kindness, longsuffering and mercy.
Some will die physically from the virus. However, as the curve flattens, perhaps in a few months we will regain a semblance of normalcy in our country. There will be enormous economic ramifications that may be felt for months or years to come. But, what will be the spiritual consequences of the great Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020?
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).
Be mindful of your responses during these months. Certainly take care to remain physically safe, and to be mindful of how your actions can impact the health of others. But always give preeminence to spiritual concerns. Take care to remain spiritually strong and pure. “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Romans 6:13). And always, always, remember that your influence can bring people to Christ! “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
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