Covid-19- We’re in this together?

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. I Peter 5:8

If you have ever watched an animal documentary on the hunting habits of lions, you’ll know that the strategy of the lion is to first separate the pack, then, once the prey is by itself, it goes in for the kill.

Something about the covid-19 pandemic doesn’t sit well with me.  I am troubled in my spirit, and when I pray, I Peter 5:8 comes to my mind.

I went for a walk in my neighborhood this morning.  Two out of the three people I encountered practically tripped off the sidewalk trying to get away from me.  No smiles, no “good morning”, just a terrified rushing past.  I know people who are afraid to go out of their houses.  Wearing mask has become a sign that you care about others.  The official stance on mask wearing was that it should be used when social distancing was not possible, but now we wear a mask and distance ourselves.  People have become terrified of other people and I see it and experience it every single day both in my personal life and at work.

People have changed.

Even when the pandemic is over, will people go back to normal, or is this type of conditioning too hard to overcome?

Have we been effectively conditioned that unless we receive a vaccine, we cannot take our mask off or meet together without fear?  I have literally heard and seen some of my friends and family say, “Yes” to this.

So, we have been separated. Very effectively separated.

Now, it is up to each individual to figure out how they are going to react to this whole thing.  As for me, and some of you out there may not like it, but here it is- I am not going to trip over myself trying to get away from you.  Be warned, if you allow me, I will hug you.  You are welcome in my house.  I will eat with you and your family and your friends.  Unless forced to, I will not wear a mask and you will see my smile. I will shake your hand if offered, and I WILL NOT FEAR.

My prayer for you is that you will not be the one devoured.  If you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I pray that you will consider giving Faith a try and asking God to help you through these strange and trying times.  If you are a believer, my hope is that your faith is greater than your fear and that you won’t retreat so far away that you can’t come back to relationships and closeness to other people when the time comes to reconnect.

Life is a journey of coming back to God’s heart, and to each other.