I can't believe what is happening... everything is closed, well almost everything, and there is no toilet paper anywhere. And innocent people are dying from a virus that doesn't have a cure or a known origin. People I know are getting sick and struggling to keep hope alive, let alone fan the embers of their faith into a small flame. In the midst of all the confusion and chaos and crazy guidelines we are supposed to follow, I can't help but wonder if this is not the time when the church rise up from the ashes of irrelevancy and conquers the "enemy" of fear and worry with love. One word that should drive us to action... compassion! One word that should motivate us to help one another... love our neighbors.
Paul tried to motivate the believers in the metropolitan city of Corinth when they were fighting and under attack... "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." (1 Cornithians 13:4-7, NLT)
We should do no less than to show the world what love looks like in this time of upheaval and uncertainty. May you not waste another minute bing watching Netflix but get off the couch and go show love to someone in need. Take a mask if you must and hand sanitizer if you can find it, and go... someone needs YOU to love them!