March 15 Devotion

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The coronavirus has touched the lives of almost each person in the world one way or another. This virus has entered each of the continents except for Antarctica. Many of us have watched some media outlet, tv or internet, and have watched as it started in China and moved to Iran, Italy, and South Korea. Each of these being the hardest hit.

My house has a special connection with Italy. My wife has been talking to several people whose lives have been placed on hold as the government has taken extreme measures to slow the spread of the virus. These countries are finding out that the hardest hit in the population are the older folks, 60 and over. As such it has been imperative that the hospitals remain ready to treat as many in that age group as possible. But choices must be made because of limited resources. If both a young person and an older person need the same treatment and there isn’t enough to go around the hospital will treat the younger person. Knowing this, many young people are self-isolating so they do not risk getting sick and taking a place that an older person may need. What we find in Italy is that the country is willing to go to extremes in order to take care of the more vulnerable.

This virus has scared many throughout the world. But it has also brought out the best in many. Our scripture is Romans 5:6-11. This scripture reminds us just how far Jesus was willing to go on our behalf. For many the fact of Jesus’ death for us is not a surprise anymore. This scripture shows that he did not die for his followers, but for all the world. The righteous and unrighteous alike, those in the know and those who were ignorant, the powerful and the powerless. All are sinners and through Jesus all can find forgiveness.

Though we cannot save souls as our Savior did, we can live in such a way to help provide love, safety, and peace for as many as possible. March 15 to March 22 we have cancelled all church related activities to try and protect those who serve with us as best as we can. But we have not truly cancelled church because WE are the church. Wherever we find ourselves, we can share God’s love with those we encounter.

Justin