May 13th, 2021: Time to Take a Deep Breath


Some pastors in Canada and the US have become very critically vocal toward all of the new restrictions. They claim that it is an attack and infringe on the freedom of religion and freedom to worship. On some levels, I can identify with these folks because it feels like that when the temples of Costco and the cathedrals of Walmart still open and have their daily meetings. They indeed have their restrictions. But nothing is compared to what has been imposed on the church and other worship places.


Let us park the conversation about the danger of Covid-19 and its various variants for the moment. Let us consider the narrative the government has been using to allow some businesses to remain open and to shut down others. 'Essential Services' is terminology. There is no argument until we define the terminology: food, medicine, doctor appointments, and a few others. Yes, we need to eat, drink and seek medical help. How about the nourishment for our soul? For some people, gathering together every Sunday is a sign of belonging to something bigger than they are. It is about a manifestation of their relationships with God and others.


In some Christian sub-cultures, the gathering of the community is an essential aspect of their spiritual well-being. They gather and break bread together to affirm their faith. It is a torment for some of them not to be able to do that. When they have to encounter a barrage of contradictory messages about Covid-19, it doesn't help. So should they listen to what seems to change daily or remain faithful to what they believe is true when it comes to God's protection and guidance? They might argue that they have chosen to put faith in God and not people.


I bring these points up, so we will learn to be more gracious to one another regardless of what we decide to do for ourselves and our families. I am not all that keen on the language some of these pastors use to describe the police and health officials. That will ignite the flame of hatred language. On the other hand, I am disappointed by our political leaders who call anti-masking people "thinly veiled white nationalists." Calling people names is not wise. It will promote further hate. Godly people shouldn't do that.


Matthew 4: 4


But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

 

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