I’m proud of the worldwide church. I see a lot of faith and outreach during this time of global Coronavirus crisis. The church is uniquely positioned to be courageous in a time when the world is fearful. Let’s live it out!
What’s our role?
Show what it looks like to have a deep foundation
The church knows that we don’t have to fear because our hope is not in this world. Our Savior is not the government or the healthcare system, but Christ. So when these institutions struggle, our foundation is not shaken! While we need to be wise and prudent, we are NOT to be fearful!
Our hope is in Christ.
Practical help
When it comes to practicality, James says it like it is: “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” (James 2:15-16)
This crisis will hit people financially and some will struggle. We need to be ready to be generous to help. My local church in Muscatine, Iowa has put out a call for anyone in the city who needs support. We met someone yesterday at the grocery store to buy them a load of groceries.
Let’s stand by and be ready to help!
Encourage the depressed
I’ve been reaching out to people who have mentioned on Facebook that they are lonely, depressed, or suicidal. We need to keep our eyes open for these needs all the time, but even more so now. I see an increase in these kinds of comments lately. To EN-COURAGE someone is to inspire them to courage — let’s be EN-couragers.
Speak up against misinformation
I’d be a rich man if I had a nickel for every ridiculous theory that I’ve been sent by people I know as to the origin of this virus or the various nefarious plans of people involved.
This kind of thing doesn’t have any place in the church. We of all people need to be sober-minded and able to discern truth from hype.
Paul describes the church to Timothy as being, “the pillar and buttress of the truth.” To this end, we need to help people spot misinformation and avoid it. This is tricky, I admit. I’m not very good at it. People usually have very strongly held ideas about things like this and can be very confrontational about their ideas.
We have a responsibility to try to protect and promote the TRUTH.
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