As Christians, we have an obligation to respond to the word of God and continue to witness to our unsaved brothers and sisters around us, even during this pandemic situation.
We must try our fullest to adhere to rules and regulations set by the government and medical organizations, as we must care for the health of ourselves and those we live with.
Here are some ways you can respond as a Christian and witness to those around you during these uncertain times:
Pray for essential and medical personnel.
We must daily and repeatedly pray for all those who are risking their own health to care for others. These brave warriors are exhausted with the burden of making difficult decisions about the allocation of ventilators and oxygen. We must not hoard supplies and make no room for anxieties instead be in prayer for those more affected than we.
Discern the times
Whatever is happening today in the world has already taken place in ancient times as told by the Bible. One such example is the plagues that were sent by God in Egypt for the deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery.
The world is full of wickedness and pride and refuses to acknowledge that there is a God above, just like Pharoah behaved when Moses went with God’s word to Him. He told Moses, “Who is the LORD that I should heed him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.” (NRSV, Exodus 5:1-2).
After that 10 plagues followed (Exodus 7:14-12:26) that caused natural and personal hardship to people in Egypt. God said to Pharaoh “For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. 16 But this is why I have let you live: to show you my power, and to make my name resound through all the earth” (Exodus 9:15-16).
What is God trying to teach us through this time of the pandemic? Are we listening to Him or are we hardening our hearts like Pharoah? Let us humble ourselves and ask the will of God for our families to be done.
Being a consistent witness through it all
The church must participate and provide a sacrificial witness over the long haul by volunteering and not by social distancing and self-imposed isolation. Today people are more bothered about looking after themselves and hoarding up food for themselves. But we are called to be people of faith and not to be afraid of the gut-wrenching scenes at hospitals.
We are called to take our place as witnesses to God’s provision and the Great commission and recognize God at work in this plague. Amen.