Coronavirus +Thoughts for Today

CORONAVIRUS

There's been a plethora of information spreading about the virus. It's hard to know how much of a threat we're in. Common sense tells me that things are serious; they could get more serious before they get less serious. What is to be our response?

I know of at least 3 Lutheran churches that chose not to have Sunday services today. They broadcast Sunday morning worship via a number of platforms. My church, Grace Lutheran in Norfolk, NE, chose to have worship as usual with a few "adjustments." No collection plates were passed. Collection plates were placed in the rear of the sanctuary, & we could place our offerings in them as we entered church. There was no shaking hands. We were assured that the church had been disinfected twice.

Classes at Lutheran schools in Norfolk & Lincoln have been suspended until further notice. Courses will be taught via the Internet. This affects 3 of our grandchildren.

Yesterday Lois & I ventured to Wal-mart. We found everything we needed except for dried beans. Canned goods & cereal had been pretty well picked over. There were no paper products, including toilet paper. (Lois informs me that we have plenty of supplies on hand.)

So what are our responsibilities as Christians? Here are my suggestions.

• We demonstrate our faith in God's providence by not panicking. He promises to be with us always; He also promises that He will never test us beyond our ability to endure.
• We also demonstrate by refusing to panic. I don't think we need to hoard toilet paper.
• We are to use common sense in minimizing the risk to ourselves & others. We "love our neighbor as ourself" by practicing good hygiene.
• Martin Luther's response to the plague can be our response today. If we are called to serve others, then we stay. 
• If we are not responsible as care-givers, there is no reason not to self-quarantine.

THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE

"Like our lives, which show shadows of the fall even as we behold the light of redemption, all of creation groans along with us for that which we now see in part but will one day see in full. The Christian message testifies to the presence of the kingdom of God among the world. Thus the Christian life is one that does not turn its back on the world here and now, but tends to life as visionaries of God’s grace, cultivators of healing, and catalysts for transformation throughout all the earth. Indeed, a follower of Christ is one who testifies to the radical work of the Cross and the uniqueness of Christ Jesus who, unlike any other, came to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found."  Jill Carattini, Slice of Infinity

THE EXPANSION OF LOVE

"The love between husband & wife possesses a miraculous ingredient that makes possible the expansion of that love to include others."  D. Bruce Lockerbie, Men's Devotional Bible