“If you love Me, obey My commandments.” John 14:15
Did it really happen? I find myself wondering about that very thing when I remember 2020 and the COVID outbreak. I am amazed when I think back and realize the worldwide impact of the pandemic. Economies and societies came to a grinding halt. When we were recently in England, invariably the topic would come up as people described what they could or could not do. Several members of my family eventually got it and I had it twice and it was a “Debbie-Downer.” For too many it was more than a downer—it was devastating and deadly.
I remember one of our church staff members tested positive for the virus. When that was reported to the health department it messed with my normal—our normal. First, because our entire staff had been a room with the positive case, we all were placed on quarantine. Like it or not, stomp your foot if you want—we were locked up for two weeks. Fortunately, no one else got it. Yay. Second, because there were several other cases spread across the church family, most not related in any way, we had to go to remote worship for a couple of weeks. How crazy.
If you didn’t have to experience COVID or the quarantine thing…count your blessings. You might ask, “Dewayne, what was it like?” Well, I guess it depends on your perspective. I know it was personally frustrating. I found myself telling whoever would listen that I didn’t have time to be quarantined. Of course, being the creative guy that I am, I found a few ways to work around it while not being around people but that is my secret. Smile.
I think I came away with a better understanding of the impact this had on the lives of people. The isolation and the stigma reminded me of what lepers must have gone though in the Bible. They had to live apart from everyone one else and should they encounter someone they had to holler out, “Unclean, unclean.” Well, I didn’t encounter anyone, so I didn’t do much hollering, but I did wonder when I saw someone from a distance, “What if they knew I was on lock up? Would they treat me differently?” And I decided that they would. I also decided it would hurt my heart.
I wonder how many people we encounter in our walk about world who have been beaten up and scarred by the world who feel the same way? Do our stares and our intentional avoidance cause them to hurt? I bet it does. You know, our eyes and body language sometimes speak louder than our words. I love the fact that Jesus never avoided the broken ones around Him. If they had leprosy, He would love them and touch them. If they were outcast by society because they were prostitutes or tax collectors, He would love them and touch them. If they were Romans soldiers who nailed people to crosses—even Him to His—He would love them and touch them if He could. I like that…a lot.
COVID is now mostly in the rearview mirror but there are still some positive cases going around. Fortunately, now the symptoms are more of a big inconvenience. But I do think we would be wise to remember and respond to COVID or any other stigma with one question, “What would Jesus do?” When he saw hurting people, He took the time to love them and have compassion for them. And that should be our response too.
Like I said, the COVID thing is largely in the rearview mirror…and I hope that is where it stays. But what is not over is the brokenness in our world—however big or small that world may be. What is not over is the need for Jesus’ people to be like Jesus. He said that if we really love Him, we should keep His commands. And there are two that are at the top of His list—love God and love people. One of the best ways to show our love for God is to show His love for those He created. All of them. Social status, skin color, or whatever label we tend to put on them just doesn’t matter. So, when you bump into someone today, either from a distance or up close, be sure and love them like Jesus and leave the details to God. You can rest in this one essential, nonnegotiable fact: He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 