COVID-19: Some Lessons Learned
Philippians 2:1-4 GNT; from Henry
David Thoreau’s, Walden, or Life in the Woods
Even after five long months, we are still learning about COVID-19
that has turned the world and our lives upside down. There are still many unknowns and many
mysteries surrounding this virus. Thankfully,
scientists appear to be gaining ground on their understanding of the virus and
developing a vaccine to bring this pandemic under control.
But in addition to what is gradually being learned about the virus
scientifically, could it be that there are spiritual lessons to be learned as
well? Today I believe I can testify that
there are.
Being affected by, or even just having a close encounter with, the
corona virus can give us a new perspective on things. So today, I would like to share just a few of
the lessons learned.
The one, big general lesson that comes to mind is this: Take
nothing for granted! Now, I mean this in two different ways;
we might say take nothing for granted from a negative standpoint, and
take nothing for granted from a positive standpoint.
On the negative side, take nothing for
granted when it comes to protecting yourself and your loved ones.
Consider no place outside your own home as being safe right now,
including the office or cubicle where you work.
You may think that your office or a favorite restaurant or some other
place is a safe space. But unless you
are the only one who ever enters that office or other space, it likely is
not. So I will say it again, wherever
you go – the grocery store, Dollar General, the pharmacy, a restaurant, and
yes, even your office or place of work – always keep your guard up.
We are continuing to learn that of all places we might go and
consider safe, church is not necessarily one of them. A recent article in USA Today reiterated that
churches, by their very nature, continue to be one of the chief places
responsible for passing along the virus.
This goes against everything we have always held dear and against
everything we want to believe. But,
sadly, the virus makes no distinction regarding places of religion, especially
if people put themselves in very close quarters.
So, I suggest again that we continue to limit our close interactions
and possible exposure. Always wear a
mask and wash your hands religiously. Do
it for yourself, and do it for your neighbor.
The words of the Apostle Paul have never been more relevant than they
are today: “Look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own”
(Philippians 2:4 GNT). So wearing a mask
when in public is not just to protect myself, but it is also to protect others
around me, it is looking out for their interests and well-being too. To take precautions is to love my neighbor as
I love myself. Take nothing for
granted! Well, that’s a negative lesson
learned.
But how about taking nothing for
granted from a positive perspective? For instance, we have learned to take
no blessing for granted. We have
acquired a new perspective on being grateful for arising each morning feeling
well and able to greet the day. There is
newfound joy in arising and asking one another, “How are you doing?” and to
hear the reply, “I am doing well; how are you doing?” and being able to answer
in the affirmative. We have profound
gratitude for making it through another night and being able to look to the day
ahead with hope and promise.
Also, taking no blessing for granted includes finding pleasure in
the simple things of life, such as being able to sit down and enjoy a meal of
good food together, or watch a favorite show together on television. And so, you begin to anticipate and look
forward to the next opportunity to enjoy a meal or sit together for that
favorite show.
And being separated from kids and grandkids makes Face Timing,
Zooming, Skyping, or through whatever means you can, one of the greatest
blessings and highlights of the week. We
have been impressed by the fact of just how precious time is and how important
it is to cherish and make the most of it.
In this vein of thought, I was reminded of the words of Henry
David Thoreau about “keeping ourselves awake” and “affecting the quality of the
day.” Those words, likewise, have never
had more import, perhaps, than they have recently – consciously striving to
keep awake to life and its blessings, and positively affecting the quality of
the day by being kinder and more compassionate (as Paul encourages), more
appreciative, more considerate, more grateful for Life and its benefits.
Of course, we should have been doing these things all along,
shouldn’t we? But having learned what we
have learned in recent months, it seems imperative that we do so now; that we
take nothing for granted, that we always be awake to life, and that we be
mindful to positively affect the quality of each day. May it be so. Amen.
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