This afternoon I was invited to a video COVID-19 Engagement Session with Governor Cooper and faith leaders throughout the state. During the hour-long conference, we were encouraged to be creative in helping one another. Caroline Farmer* observed that this worldwide virus is the kind of thing that makes people want to go home, close the door, keep their children and families safe, and not go out again. However, she urged us not to allow fear to drive our lives.
One of the ideas that stood out to me was Governor Cooper’s comment that we should talk about the things we need to do, and we should show the things we need to do. The governor explained his meaning in our current setting: we need to lead by example and stay at home as much as we possibly can.
Staying home is a simple request and one that I can tackle. I will never be able to measure the effect my effort will have on my community, but that’s sort of the point. My behavior will truly make a difference to those around me – I need to talk about it AND I need to show that I’m doing it. Gaging success isn’t the objective. Doing the right thing – that’s the goal. Governor Cooper noted that we (referring to the faith community) need to model behavior – commit to behavior – that is going to truly make a difference to others.
I felt a little bit like I’d been smacked between the eyes… with a board. Live by example. I didn’t expect a government forum to flood my brain with images of scripture, but “be imitators of God” from Ephesians 5:1 is screaming at me. So is Wesley’s mandate to “do no harm.”
Faith in action means taking care of others in tangible ways. Yes, I asked someone young and healthy to provide groceries to a family today. That’s concrete, hands-on service that honors God, but it was more than just the delivery person who duplicated Jesus’ ways. One role is to identify the need and let me know. MY role is to set up the care and to stay home myself. A third person shops and delivers. We each play a dedicated part. As a result, a family is fed, and five people work together to meet the need while glorifying our Savior – all the while following the instructions of social distancing for those of us identified as vulnerable. Yes, this is do-able as long as we do it together.
We were told today that our world has changed in the past two weeks, and it will never go back to exactly the way things were before this virus. As we work to do no harm and eliminate fear, may we also work to remember the governor's words: "keep our spirits as high as we can – making sure prayers are prayed and that we continue every single day with peace and love among each other." May we constantly remember to be imitators of God.
Committed to imitation,
Pastor Beth
One of the ideas that stood out to me was Governor Cooper’s comment that we should talk about the things we need to do, and we should show the things we need to do. The governor explained his meaning in our current setting: we need to lead by example and stay at home as much as we possibly can.
Staying home is a simple request and one that I can tackle. I will never be able to measure the effect my effort will have on my community, but that’s sort of the point. My behavior will truly make a difference to those around me – I need to talk about it AND I need to show that I’m doing it. Gaging success isn’t the objective. Doing the right thing – that’s the goal. Governor Cooper noted that we (referring to the faith community) need to model behavior – commit to behavior – that is going to truly make a difference to others.
I felt a little bit like I’d been smacked between the eyes… with a board. Live by example. I didn’t expect a government forum to flood my brain with images of scripture, but “be imitators of God” from Ephesians 5:1 is screaming at me. So is Wesley’s mandate to “do no harm.”
Faith in action means taking care of others in tangible ways. Yes, I asked someone young and healthy to provide groceries to a family today. That’s concrete, hands-on service that honors God, but it was more than just the delivery person who duplicated Jesus’ ways. One role is to identify the need and let me know. MY role is to set up the care and to stay home myself. A third person shops and delivers. We each play a dedicated part. As a result, a family is fed, and five people work together to meet the need while glorifying our Savior – all the while following the instructions of social distancing for those of us identified as vulnerable. Yes, this is do-able as long as we do it together.
We were told today that our world has changed in the past two weeks, and it will never go back to exactly the way things were before this virus. As we work to do no harm and eliminate fear, may we also work to remember the governor's words: "keep our spirits as high as we can – making sure prayers are prayed and that we continue every single day with peace and love among each other." May we constantly remember to be imitators of God.
Committed to imitation,
Pastor Beth
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