In moments like this, when we are forced to stop 

When the rhythms of life as we know it are interrupted

When normal becomes abnormal

When we have to retract and self quarantine

To opt out of the day to day so that doctors, scientists, nurses, hospital staff who have to be in the thick of things have a fighting chance against the COVID19 pandemic

We can panic because its suddenly claustrophobic

We can breathe because we now have the freedom not to do it all

Selah.

We cry at the selfishness of the hoarders who have wiped shelves clean

We rejoice at the generosity of self of the doctors and government officials who are working tirelessly to make it better

We lament the loss of life-deeply lament

We hold on to our loved ones just a little bit more tighter

It’s also in moments like these that we remember our fickleness

That we are dust

That we are all interconnected by one strand of humanity

That we are here for a day and then we are gone

That we have to make the days count

 

In moments like these,

We carry those who do daily labor and depend on daily wages for daily bread who now have no jobs to go to.

We remember those for whom panic buying has not been a new phenomena- they panic everyday when they have to go to the shops because they have to count their coins.

We repent because we have not confronted the systems that have them living this way, from hand to mouth.

We remember those whom landlords will soon know them by name because they will be laid off and have no money to pay rent

We remember the landlords that have reduced house rent for some of their tenants

It’s at these moments where the true Soul of  us as a Family of Faith will be tested

What will we do with the weekly church service budgets now that church services have been cancelled?

Whom do we know that has been living on a shoe string budget that will appreciate the extra coins saved from you not having to travel?

Who needs water to drink and clean up that we have stored in our churches?

Whom do you need to shop for?

Which hospitals and doctors need extra supplies that we can donate to?

Which doctors and nurses need a ‘quarantine house’ so that they can serve the unwell freely without the fear of infecting their loved ones?

Are the doctors, nurses, social workers police – are they eating and drinking well? Can we feed them?

 

They will know that we are Christians by our love- not by the many events we hold or cancel on any particular day

Love is radical, love creates the shortest distance between people, communities, race, ages, gender and class 

Will Love lead how we respond to this crisis?

 

So for today and in the days to come

Wash your hands more

Love more

Give more

Call people more

Breath in

Breath Out

We were called to be Salt and Light for such times as these….

 

Selah