As people around the globe continue to face the challenges of the Covid-19 Pandemic, many buzz-words have emerged in the non-stop media coverage. A buzz-word is described as a word or phrase that is fashionable at a particular time or in a particular context. Even though these buzz-words are popular and relevant now, Solomon reminds us in Ecclesiastes 1:9 “that there is nothing new under the sun.”
Consider these often-heard phrases of the past two months with a Biblical perspective.
Flattening the Curve
Flattening the Curve is a public health strategy meant to slow the spread of the epidemic so that the peak number of people requiring care at a time is reduced, and the health care system is not overwhelmed. This action plan begins to work when people follow certain disciplines such as washing their hands often, and cleaning commonly used public surfaces.
In our Christian walk, we often face obstacles and temptations in living the life God desires for us. These challenges can seem like mountains, (just like that tall curve we see in so many Covid-19 graphics) that stop us in our tracks and threaten to overwhelm us. But by practicing spiritual disciplines, those mountains flatten out and become a path of rolling hills that we navigate with God together. Reading and meditating on God’s Word is a good place to start. After all, Psalm 119:105 says, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Prayer, being thankful, giving and serving others, help us grow and mature in Christ.
It all starts with intentionally seeking out God. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” And we are right back to washing our hands, figuratively as well as physically!
Social Distancing
Social Distancing means keeping space between yourself and others outside of your home, staying at least 6 feet from other people.
The best example of one who practiced social distancing was our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus often withdrew from people and activity in his ministry travels to be with his heavenly Father, praying and communing with Him.
“After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.” Matt. 14:23
“But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray..” Luke 5:16
Stay-at-Home Order
A stay-at-home order directs residents of a state to limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs.
Just as Jesus modeled “social distancing” to commune with his Father, he also instructed each of us to do the same. “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Matt. 6:6
What better thing to do during a stay-at-home order, than to close our doors and pray to God?
Self-Quarantine
To Self-Quarantine means to refrain from any contact with other individuals for a period of time during the outbreak of a contagious disease. During the Covid-19 Pandemic, many people have also been advised to self-quarantine because they have been in contact with a person diagnosed with the Coronavirus.
The Apostle Paul spent an extended time in prison, both in Caesarea and in Rome. He was not quarantined because of a disease, but rather imprisoned because of charges brought by Romans opposed to his gospel message. Though not his choice, what wonderful blessings came from that time, including the Biblical epistles Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians.
“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.” Phil 1:12-14
Distance Learning
Distance learning is a form of education in which the main elements include physical separation of teachers and students during instruction and the use of various technologies to facilitate student-teacher and student-student communication. When school buildings were closed across the nation in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, teachers and students had to quickly adapt to a new model of instruction and learning.
Once we become a believer and follower of God, our distance learning ensues as well. As we yield and listen to God, the Holy Spirit instructs and guides us.
Jesus said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:26
Testing for Covid-19
Two kinds of tests are available for COVID-19: viral tests and antibody tests. A viral test tells you if you have a current infection. An antibody test tells you if you had a previous infection. If we develop a cough, shortness of breath, fever, or other known symptoms of the Coronavirus, we should seek medical attention. Similarly, if our lives show evidence of pursuing our own desires before God’s, we need to test our heart and its motives.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23,24
“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it? ‘I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:9,10
Essential Workers
Essential Workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic generally refer to health care providers and emergency personnel, law enforcement and public safety, school teachers, food production and grocery store employees, workers conducting Covid-19 research and testing, among many others. The world has learned a lesson during this crisis. Fame and fortune don’t constitute importance: rather dedicated service to humanity.
Consider the “food production workers” when Christ was born. Lowly shepherds, caring for their sheep, were the first people to hear the angels’ message that a Savior was born, the first to worship the newborn King, the first to share this glorious news. The poor, not the powerful, were entrusted with this life-changing experience and message.
Simply put: “But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.” Matt. 19:30
PPE—Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used every day by healthcare personnel to protect themselves, patients, and others when providing care for Covid-19. PPE can consist of face shields, gloves, goggles and glasses, gowns, head covers, masks, respirators, and shoe covers.
As Christians, we are provided with God’s “PPE” to stay strong against the powers and pull of the world.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6: 10-17
Wearing Masks
As the Center for Disease Control continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States, it recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. As one store chain recently put it, “Your mask helps protect our employees. Our masks help to protect you. Please make this a common practice when you’re in public places for the health and well-being of our communities.”
Simply put, follow the Golden Rule! “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you.” Matt. 7:12
Stimulus Checks
Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, most Americans are eligible for a one-time stimulus check (also called Economic Impact Payment) of up to $1,200, with married couples getting up to $2,400. Families will get an additional $500 per child. The US government is sending out these payments to provide some financial relief while countless people are laid off or furloughed from their jobs.
It is hard not to be anxious about our livelihoods during these difficult days, but we can be assured God’s promises are sure.
Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matt. 6:26, 31, 32b, 33
A synonym for stimulus is encouragement, and the intention of the CARES Act checks is to provide hope and help for discouraged families across our nation.
Our ultimate encouragement and hope remain in our heavenly Father and his only Son, Jesus Christ. One final scripture passage sums it up well.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” Heb. 10: 23,24
Be a light, be an encouragement, be an “answer to prayer” in another’s life. May your love and good deeds bless others during these trying times. And rest assured. He IS faithful.
© Paula Kirkpatrick, 2020