I've been reflecting recently on how whole coronavirus pandemic has really brought out the self-preserving, others-neglecting tendencies in myself and those around me. We've started hoarding, closing ourselves off from others, and hyper-focusing on our investments. Following the recommendations or experts is a way to love our neighbor and the world, but what does it look like be wise and #flattenthecurve while still staying in community, especially to love the lonely?
Remember the Poor
The poor are disproportionately affected by coronavirus. Many people don't have the privilege of WFH or stocking up on non-perishables. Many people who are living paycheck to paycheck with no sick leave are at risk of losing their jobs. Many kids won't have childcare or food to eat (20M kids rely on free school lunches). This pandemic which for many is a curiosity, annoyance, or legitimate health concern is a very real threat to putting food on the table for many people. How can I look outside of my own inconveniences and best love my neighbor in this increasingly difficult time?
Remember the Poor
I'm reminded of how the early church faced the plague, and how they "showed unbounded love and loyalty, never sparing themselves and thinking only of one another. Heedless of danger, they took charge of the sick, attending to their every need and ministering to them in Christ." Their first instinct was not self-preservation but self-sacrifice in love. Is the church a beacon of selfless love in these days? Are we primarily concerned for our own good or the good of others?
Remember the Poor
Hebrews 10 - "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Galatians 2 - "Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do."
[I wish FB posts had better formatting.]
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[Originally posted on Facebook March 11, 2020]
