COVID-19 Lockdown, Day 81
I received some good news today. First, I am no longer exiled from my office. I can start working on-site again. Hallelujah! There are still things I cannot do, such as drive clients and stay in enclosed spaces with them, but I will be able to have my office again. In the words of Mabel Simmons: "Halleluyer! Praise de Lort!" 😁
More good news: my church can start worshiping inside now, with social distancing of course. I have seen it done, and it will work. It has worked. I know that there are others who are still uncomfortable coming inside, but it is time. The virus is being controlled, we have been taught what viruses can and cannot cling to and for how long. Besides, other churches just as small as us are letting people inside with the same rules, and these churches have vulnerable people too: elderly, sick, et cetera. Another thing: summer is coming, and Chicago summers can be extremely hot. It was in the 80's and 90's in late May even. Do we want our clergy to sweat puddles in their cassocks? What about people who cannot handle the heat? Are we to risk their lives in sweltering heat because a few people don't want to go inside? As an asthmatic, I cannot wear a mask too long in the heat before I start wheezing.
This may offend some people, but those who are still not comfortable entering a cool, socially-distanced, hence safe, church need to stop watching CNN, and all major networks, ask God to give them more courage and faith, and then look at the big picture. There are people in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia who face an even more lethal virus: Christophobia-33. There are Christians in Nigeria and India who were murdered for their faith by Boko Haram and Hindu extremists--just for being Christian and going to church. Still, Nigerian and Indian Christians risk dying by this virus whenever they carry a Bible, go to church, or pray in earshot of a stranger, but they do it anyway. They face this virus head-on. And here in America, there are probably professed Christians in every city who will decide not to attend church, no matter how safe it can be, simply because THEY are not ready. That is a shame to the memory of those killed.
I can understand their fear to a point, but what is not to say that your mail carrier, infected with COVID-19, did not stay home, and coughed on your mail? What if your food delivery was prepared by someone who did not even know they were infected? What if you do not even get COVID-19, but a semi-truck driver gets drunk and crashes into your bedroom tonight? What it you have a perfect diet, get plenty of exercise, and manage stress well, but you get an unexplained brain tumor? The point is, you can try to flee from death all you want, but he will always catch up with you. No need to be afraid of death, but there is also no need to give him a free meal either. We can be careful, but we can enjoy life and do what we need to do. If all of those COVID-19 deaths taught me anything, it is to appreciate life and not live in fear. When we refuse to do things because we are afraid,we become slaves to fear, and it is Satan's victory. Well, I want to be a free man who can stare Satan down! Even if I must walk alone, I will walk with my head high. I will not live in fear.
--Signing off.
More good news: my church can start worshiping inside now, with social distancing of course. I have seen it done, and it will work. It has worked. I know that there are others who are still uncomfortable coming inside, but it is time. The virus is being controlled, we have been taught what viruses can and cannot cling to and for how long. Besides, other churches just as small as us are letting people inside with the same rules, and these churches have vulnerable people too: elderly, sick, et cetera. Another thing: summer is coming, and Chicago summers can be extremely hot. It was in the 80's and 90's in late May even. Do we want our clergy to sweat puddles in their cassocks? What about people who cannot handle the heat? Are we to risk their lives in sweltering heat because a few people don't want to go inside? As an asthmatic, I cannot wear a mask too long in the heat before I start wheezing.
This may offend some people, but those who are still not comfortable entering a cool, socially-distanced, hence safe, church need to stop watching CNN, and all major networks, ask God to give them more courage and faith, and then look at the big picture. There are people in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia who face an even more lethal virus: Christophobia-33. There are Christians in Nigeria and India who were murdered for their faith by Boko Haram and Hindu extremists--just for being Christian and going to church. Still, Nigerian and Indian Christians risk dying by this virus whenever they carry a Bible, go to church, or pray in earshot of a stranger, but they do it anyway. They face this virus head-on. And here in America, there are probably professed Christians in every city who will decide not to attend church, no matter how safe it can be, simply because THEY are not ready. That is a shame to the memory of those killed.
I can understand their fear to a point, but what is not to say that your mail carrier, infected with COVID-19, did not stay home, and coughed on your mail? What if your food delivery was prepared by someone who did not even know they were infected? What if you do not even get COVID-19, but a semi-truck driver gets drunk and crashes into your bedroom tonight? What it you have a perfect diet, get plenty of exercise, and manage stress well, but you get an unexplained brain tumor? The point is, you can try to flee from death all you want, but he will always catch up with you. No need to be afraid of death, but there is also no need to give him a free meal either. We can be careful, but we can enjoy life and do what we need to do. If all of those COVID-19 deaths taught me anything, it is to appreciate life and not live in fear. When we refuse to do things because we are afraid,we become slaves to fear, and it is Satan's victory. Well, I want to be a free man who can stare Satan down! Even if I must walk alone, I will walk with my head high. I will not live in fear.
--Signing off.
Well said! :-) I'm very glad that things are looking up for you!!!
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