SPECIAL MID-DAY EDITION of MyPeaceZone.Com

Unlike my early (before 6 am) posts each day, I just read this article and felt I MUST post it now. I’ve heard Christians say: “I have faith. No fear here. I don’t need to social distance myself.” I, too, have complete faith in my Lord. I quote scriptures consistently about faith and not having a spirit of fear. But, I also want to obey the laws of my land. Romans 13:1-2 says: "Obey the government, for God is the One who has put it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power. So those who refuse to obey the law of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow."

Today, I ran across an article from March 16th, 2020 with this title: “Martin Luther actually had some good coronavirus advice back in 1527.” I think we all can draw wisdom from it:

“Back in 1527, a deadly plague hit Martin Luther’s town of Wittenberg and he wrote a letter to a friend explaining how churches should deal with such complicated circumstances. Sure, science has progressed immensely in the last 500 years and we know way more about infectious diseases than we did back then, but the heart of his words still ring true.

“Use medicine; take potions which can help you; fumigate house, yard, and street; shun persons and places wherever your neighbor does not need your presence or has recovered, and act like a man who wants to help put out the burning city,” Luther advised. “What else is the epidemic but a fire which instead of consuming wood and straw devours life and body?”

We have a better understanding of medicine, “potions” and the value of fumigation but Luther’s advice about loving your community by avoiding going out is just as pertinent today.
The scientific consensus is that “social distancing”, staying home and avoiding crowds is the best way to prevent the spread of the virus and help those who are most vulnerable. But Luther knew that as Christians, even these precautions have their limits. “If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely, as stated above,” he wrote. “See, this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.”

In other words, be smart. Use discernment. Protect your community by staying in but if someone needs help, remember the Gospel’s call to assist those in need. That may look different for everyone but we can all do something: Call an isolated friend who might be lonely. Check-in on elderly neighbors and family members. Don’t hoard groceries and supplies. Be generous with extra income, remembering that many people will be suffering financially in the coming days. Support medical professionals through prayer and respect of their advice and guidelines.

And most of all, remember that though the war on the coronavirus is one that can be won through wisdom and science, we protect our bodies and the health of our communities through social distancing and self-isolation. We battle not against flesh and blood, but spiritual forces that want to strip us of peace and replace it with fear.

Luther wrote: ”In closing, we admonish and plead with you in Christ’s name to help us with your prayers to God so that we may do battle with word and precept against the real and spiritual pestilence of Satan in his wickedness with which he now poisons and defiles the world.”

May God's wisdom, abiding by the laws of our land with His armor about us, and “loving our neighbors as ourselves” be our mission.

Do We Represent Well?

I saw this heart-wrenching photo and thought "Thank God! This soldier represents us well." A foreign ambassador is one who represents her/his country. Their words, their diplomatic demeanor, and their actions are the “good impression” that is needed to ensure comradery and a commitment for peace and well-being between a foreign country and their home country.

We were designed to be representatives of God’s Kingdom on earth. We are ambassadors for Christ. So, as His ambassadors, shouldn’t we represent Him well? We are a living letters. In 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, Paul says, “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

So let's take a look at our lives. Are we living letters? Are we a letter of recommendation where others would say, “Hey, I want to be part of that group because they are generous, kind, loving and supportive!" Are we rivers of water to bring about good and healing and growth? 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says “Encourage one another and build each other up.”

It's time to take a self analysis test -- to look inward and ask "How well do we represent?" And, other questions like: “Are you the friend you wish you had?” “Are you the wife/husband, mother/ father, daughter/son, sister/brother that you wish you had?” In other words, instead of pulling out the “10 Things I Don’t Like About You” to someone else, maybe it’s the ideal time to make a list that says “10 Things I Can Do to Improve ME” so that I become the best representative I can be for Christ as a friend, spouse, child, sibling.

Being Christ’s representative is being the beautiful creation God made us to be by appreciating all that God placed within us to BE – that quirky laugh that brightens up a room with joy; those eyes that see the pain and needs of others and does something about it; that voice that speaks encouragement and hope into others, and that mind that consciously conjures up ways to change this world for the better. Most of all to be that ONE that sets the example of God’s love and peace to others…..so that they want YOU to be their best friend. In so doing – we ARE being the best versions of representatives for Christ!