Today is Day 46 of the National Shutdown over the COVID-19 pandemic.
What do we do and how do we continue to respond?
This is an interesting question because many across the United States struggle to determine how to move forward. As governors, mayors, commissioners, county judges, and alderman determine what is best for their particular area and if they are going to open up individual areas consistent with the President’s encouragement, most people are ready for change. For those who have been under a stay-at-home order, after 45 days, the walls must be closing in per se. Cabin fever spreads as a different kind of fever also associated with COVID-19.
Submission to our government and a gracious spirit toward others remains a premium for every Christian as each one strives to follow Christ and live responsibility for Christ. However, even many very conscientious Christians struggle as this continues.Submission to our government and a gracious spirit toward others remains a premium as each one strives to follow Christ and live responsibility for Christ. However, even many very conscientious Christians struggle as this continues. Share on X
What about churches? Even in our local area, Springfield/Greene County officials extended the prohibition of churches meeting together for at least 21 more days. They break with both the Missouri governor and other local officials like those here in Ozark. Even as I heard of the choice of Springfield officials and waited to hear from Ozark, I also struggled to see how their choices were consistent or wise. Thankfully, Ozark officials chose differently at least for us.
Many of my friends then must follow the directives of their local officials that are narrower than what those of us in Ozark are living under at this point. Some would suggest that some of these measures are extreme.
On the other hand, I have two dear friends on the front-line of this pandemic in a different state. They face situations with many more cases and seemingly much more danger. They do not understand those in the community who choose not to wear a mask, gloves, or continue to limit all social interaction. And rightly so.
We also cannot forget those in our communities who are immunocompromised, elderly, or live in care facilities. In each of these cases, there exists real and considerable threats for their health and life.
The Reality of Our Situation
Here are some of the realities of our situation.
- Some people want the economy and restrictions to open immediately.
- Other strongly desire and do not agree with communities opening up anything.
- Many struggle with discontentment as literally force themselves to obey what they are being asked to do even though they disagree with it.
- Some people will no longer stay home and confined regardless of what the government asks them to do.
- In certain communities a majority of people where in other communities some will make masks a part of everyday life.
- Many claim they will stay home regardless of what the government says to do.
- The media warns of a second wave which has some appropriately concerned.
- Some parents, grandparents, and children cannot wait for school to start up again. Others, no so much.
- In every case, life has changed, is changing, and will change.
- Financially individuals, businesses, churches, and schools face significant struggles ahead.
- Millions have lost jobs and potentially have no job to which they can return.
- Long story short: we all have various concerns, opinions, and pressure-filled circumstances. No two of us are the same.
How Do We Respond?
What do we do? How do we continue to respond – or begin? Is there just one response?
I think there actually is an overarching response we must choose – even as we tailor our individual responses to each person’s unique circumstances. Personally, I am glad I do not sit in authority whether it is here in Ozark, Christian County, or Missouri. I talked with our mayor Rick Gardner in days past (and sent him a text even today) and expressed my gratitude to him. I committed to him that I would pray for him and city administrator Steve Childers as they seek to lead well.
So what are those choices? Let me suggest one overarching choice and three subordinate choices that flow out of it.
1. As followers of Christ, we must choose to eagerly follow Christ.
In the midst of these trials and circumstances, we have no other choice than to be more committed than ever to honor the Lord as a those who strive to be like Christ (2 Cor 5:9, 20; 1 Cor 10:31; Rom 8:29). To the extent that we commit to following Christ first and most is to the same extent we are going to respond in Christ-honoring and Christ-exalting ways as we move out of this stage of this pandemic. This is our chief end. We must seek to follow Christ consistently and loyally.To the extent that we commit to following Christ first and most is to the same extent we are going to respond in Christ-honoring and Christ-exalting ways as we move out of this stage of this pandemic. This is our chief end. Share on X
2. As followers of Christ, we must choose to love others.
Jesus instructed us that loving our neighbors is only second to loving God (Matt 22:37-40). Further, the Apostle John wrote, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). Love will go along way to help us as we seek to serve each other in the coming days. Love produces the necessary motivation to make the necessary sacrifices for each other (2 Cor 5:14-15). The only way we will overcome simply following our own desires in the days ahead is to choose love of others over love of self.The only way we will overcome simply following our own desires in the days ahead is to choose love of others over love of self. Share on X
3. As followers of Christ, we much choose to practice self-counsel.
Herein lies the challenge. Many of us claim to follow Christ and love others; however, we fail to do self-inventory to actually test and prove that what we want, what we think, what we feel, and what we do actually are consistent with a loving, Christlike person. We cannot wave our hand at those commitments without looking at and in our own hearts (James 1:13-18). What controls you? For whom are you living? What is the most important to you? These questions deserve and take serious consideration.
4. As followers of Christ, we must choose to walk in the Spirit.
All the spiritual disciplines start and end in this step. We are exhorted over and over to be humble, gentle, patient, kind, longsuffering, to forbear, persevere, and endeavor to protect the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:1-3, et.al.). These words cannot be glossed over as if they do not exist or as if we do not care about them. Instead, we must double-down our efforts at living consistent with each of them.
It Takes All Our Effort To Work Together For the Greater Good
As the long list above implies, in our great families, neighborhoods, communities, cities, counties, states, and country, we all possess individual takes on this COVID-19 pandemic and the steps moving forward out of it. Each of us understand our own individual opinions the best – and I am not sure how well we even do that. The natural landing spot for our individual hearts is at self-interest, self-love, and self-pleasure. As we each commit to loving God, loving our neighbors, and living a Christ-centered, Christ-exalting life, we fight an uphill battle against self.The natural landing spot for our hearts is at self-interest, self-love, & self-pleasure. As we commit to loving God, loving our neighbors, & living a Christ-centered, Christ-exalting life, we fight an uphill battle against self. Share on X
Let me be honest so that no one misunderstands this. What is the best way for us to come out of this? MY WAY. The way I see it. My goals. My passions. We could add lots of other word sentences that begin with MY. This is both the problem and the way to understand the way out.
On Day 46 and beyond, it takes all our effort to work together for the love of Christ and each other for the greater good that benefits each of us. Some solutions I will be less comfortable with. For you, it will be others. But for each of us, our response going forward to COVID-19 must be governed by a commitment to follow Christ, love our neighbors, practice self-counsel, and walk in the Spirit.But for each of us, our response going forward to COVID-19 must be governed by a commitment to follow Christ, love our neighbors, practice self-counsel, and walk in the Spirit. Share on X
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KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
