May 30th, 2021: Fear Not, for I AM with YOU


Well, starting today, churches in Alberta can have 15% of the capacity in attendance. The limitation of church worship has been a thorny issue for some congregations in our province. We have had some undesirable interactions between some church members, the police and the health authority. I can understand the theological and constitutional perspectives of many faithful church folks. I can also understand the dilemma many governments have had in trying to maintain the balance between listening to their medical experts and managing a healthy economy.


God created us to be in a community. It is not healthy for us to be alone all of the time. We do need time to be alone, but we are not meant to be on our own completely. Relationships are essential and critical to our mental well-being. We can say the same thing about our spiritual health. Many elderly folks have suffered much from the lack of interaction with their loved ones.


Mental illness has been on the increase since the beginning of Covid-19 restrictions. Some people have asked why? Isolation is one of the factors. The loss of hope due to unemployment and the closures of businesses is also devastating. Many are also grieving the sudden deaths of their loved ones. Others suffer from anxiety because of not knowing. Healthcare workers experience depression and exhaustion. Some have also discovered that they don't know how to live with themselves as they have more time to think about life and who they are.


We need to do pray that our nations will embrace kindness as we leave this madness behind. We need to be more generous in our hearts and humble in our spirits as we seek God's direction. We do not need to be afraid and have the faith that God is in control, and no one will be able to deny that fact. God will eventually clear everything that is not in his plan for the redemption of the world. The desire that God has for the world has not changed because of Covid-19. God longs to redeem the entire creation.


Let us be at peace and remain in God, God's gentleness and compassion in our dealing with one another and ourselves.


Isaiah 41: 10

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

 

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