While COVID-19 is devastating thousands of
lives physically, emotionally and even spiritually, it also opens doors for believers
to be light in a time of unprecedented darkness. Think GOD has brought you into
His kindness for just such a time as this. These are uncertain and scary times for all of us but it’s no excuse to “look out only for your own interests, but to take an interest in others, too.” (Philippians 2:4).
If you are a believer now is the time to be the
“front-liner” to “front-liners”, to act the “good
Samaritan” to the least of these, to be JESUS with skin on and serve others
as He did. Selflessly. And as with everything else in your Christian walk, be
guided by GOD’s WORD.
God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
People are dying. Loved ones are taken to hospitals never to
return home even for burial if they die so families and friends don’t have closure.
If you know of a family or even the friend of a family in this situation, reach
out. Call or send a note. If you’re uncertain about peoples’ needs, ask how you
can help. Comfort people in their sorrow. Let people know that you’re present
and available. And do PRAY!
Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Isaiah 35:3
Check on neighbors and/or church members who are elderly and/or
live alone. Isolation is mentally exhausting. Depression can set it and people
can literally stop taking care of themselves, the elderly being the most
vulnerable. Neglecting to eat, take needed meds and even basic hygiene. Does that
elderly person need grocery items, prescription refills, “Redbox” movies returned/exchanged,
help with meals? Make a daily pray call or knock on the door and talk/pray
through the screen door or however you can observe social distancing for their
safety and yours. Showing you care can
help someone make it through one more day.
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35
Mandatory shut down of businesses means less or no income
for many. Churches and non-profits that would usually pick of the slack are
also impacted. More people need help and agencies' budgets are shrinking. You too may have less than you would like to but you may also have
more than some. At your next grocery run, ignore the snack foods and luxury
items and pick up some extras canned goods and staples instead and drop it off
at the local food pantry (your church may run one.) The money you were going to
spend on restaurant take-out, send it to a trusty charity, like the Salvation
Army. Look up mutual aid community networks on the popular social media platforms
where neighbors post their needs and others respond as they can. Or, take the
lead and start one in your own community if you have to.
Christians are to take the lead in times of crisis. It’s one
way we obey and please our Father:
For the whole law can be summed up in this one command:
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law
of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only
fooling yourself. You are not that important…So let’s not get tired of doing
what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we
don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do
good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:2-3,
9-10
And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in
need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:16
There are pressing needs in our communities. As much as
you’re able, be the first to offer yourself as a living sacrifice (Romans
12). Serve in any way you can and keep doing so even if it hurts a little
or a lot, and do it with joy.
By giving and serving you’re spreading hope and light on behalf
of the Lord and “nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless” (1
Corinthians 15:58,) and everything you do for the LORD has an eternal
perspective. JESUS tells us so:
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you
who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the
creation of the world. ‘For I was hungry, and you fed Me. I was thirsty, and
you gave Me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited Me into your home. I was
naked, and you gave Me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for Me. I was in
prison, and you visited Me.’… ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of
the least of these My brothers and sisters, you were doing it to Me!’ MATTHEW
25:31-46
PRAYER:
Our Father in Heaven, you WORD teaches us everything we
need to know about giving and serving. You gave us the perfect example of
servanthood out of love in JESUS our Savior who gave up his divine privileges as
GOD to become a humble slave in human form and die a criminal’s death on a
cross, out of love and obedience. Help us to love you enough to imitate the
life JESUS lived before us, to keep our eyes stayed on Him as the one who initiates
and perfects our faith. Father, remind us that we can do all things through Him
who gives us strength, that we are your masterpiece created anew in JESUS, so
we can do the good things planned for us before we were even born – for your
name and glory and our eternal joy.
I pray in JESUS name, Amen!
