Rambling this Tuesday about what COVID-19 means for my Christian faith:
- It means I care for those sick, suffering, and grieving loss.
- It means I don’t immediately try to minimize some part of the virus’s impact so it can fit my comfortable view of the facts.
- It means I will admit my limits to understand science, medicine, and politics.
- It means I will pray for those leading us – government and education leaders especially.
- It means I will listen to your concerns if they differ from mine.
- It means I will use discernment and seek truth.
- The virus has affected so many around the globe; it means I will pray for them!
- It means I understand God knows about the virus.
- It means I refuse to divisively and repeatedly share my strong opinion as if I have the only proper view.
- It means I refuse to divide fellowship over masks, vaccines, viewpoints, etc.
- It means I care for people trapped in fear of the virus. It means I will take risks to share the Gospel with them.
- It means I care in the short run for those choosing to withdraw from worship. It also means I should challenge for accountability should obvious inconsistency emerge.
- The virus does not negate my responsibility to love and obey Jesus.
- Nor does the virus cancel my obligation to love other believers (gasp!) even if they disagree with me.
- The virus should challenge our view of a local church. I am not just a pastor or leader. I am a committed member of a local fellowship and I should pray for and check in on those I love if I haven’t seen them for a while.
- My faith directs me to take my anxiety to Jesus. When I feel overwhelmed by fear, I will spend time with the Lord, talking with Him, and trust Him to handle my difficulties.
- I will praise the Lord for many who have suffered and recovered.
- What would you add to this list?