"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, Revised Standard)
The writing prompt for July caused me to ponder a lot. Ideas of how to approach this post did not come to me like others have. With only a day to go until the date for this post, even now I ponder. Now I must write and put a message together.
Since the Covid-19 virus invaded our world I have not written too much about it. Other writers have done a superb job of offering their perspectives on an enemy none of us are familiar with.
In my May 22, 2020 post I included thoughts on the virus in my message, “Writing in the Cracks of Life.” Until now this has been the only piece I have written on this crisis.
Since governments began to “lockdown” cities and countries because of the virus a lot has happened. The crisis has shown the evil, cruel, mean, uncivilized, and criminal side of people. This time of a worldwide pandemic has also shown the beautiful, good, and compassionate side of people.
As a Christian man, my attitude has not always been sympathetic to the experiences of people during this time. Time to be silent, to ponder (I love to ponder), to pray, to listen, and to ask a question became a need. My question, where is God in all this craziness and disruption?
The answer or, “extraordinary directions,” came through the well-known, John 3:16 passage of the Bible. God loves the world. God is in the love all around. This is never to be ignored or forgotten. While in the past months evil for a time has gone mad, God still loves people. The media played up the riots that broke out after a man was murdered. Some people seem to have used this tragedy as an excuse to show their angry and destructive side. God’s love still became clear.
I read an article about two buddies. One man is Black, and the other is Caucasian. Both men see beyond their colour. Instead of rioting or protesting these guys sat outside and offered to give people an opportunity to talk. They set up chairs and a cooler with beer and waited for people to drop by. All they wanted to do was care for people amidst a troubled time. They reached out to their neighbours. This is love in action.
One question in my mind and heart is this. Have we as God’s people forgotten His love for the world? Can it be when we behold the evil of the day we neglect the fact God still loves people? I wonder how our world would change if instead of being overwhelmed by it we loved the world instead.
On our own we cannot change the world. We can, however, reach out to our neighbours. The Covid-19 virus does not seem in a hurry to leave. We have time to show love to those in our part of the world. Instead of being overwhelmed we can overcome. The love of God can overcome us as we reach out to people around us. God loves the world and so must we.
My friends, what can you do to show this extraordinary love to the world? I ask myself the same question.
https://scarredjoy.ca/
Beautifully said, Alan. This brought to mine the video of Mr. Rogers inviting Officer Clemmons, who was black, to join him, as he cooled his bare feet in a tub of water on a hot day. Officer Clements said, “I would, but I don’t have a towel.”
ReplyDeleteMr. Rogers, lifting the towel on his shoulders, said, “You can share my towel.” The officer then removed his shoes and socks and joined Mr. Rogers. The title of the video is “Won’t You Be My Neighbour?” At the time of the video, many white people didn’t want black people in the same pool with them.
“God so loved the world. . .” The whole world. John 3:16 doesn’t say anything about exclusion of anyone. Thanks, Alan.
Hi Sharon. Thank you for your comment. I remember Officer Clemmons as a friend of Mr. Rogers. Yes, God's love is broad.
DeleteShowing love is something I struggle with. I'm a loner so I'd rather work on my computer than be face to face with people. Even so, I still care about God's image bearers. I sympathize with folks facing hardships, the worst kind of ship to sail. I also cheer on people who accomplished something good. My anger and sadness is AT what folks do, not the people themselves.
ReplyDeleteHi Bruce. Thank you for your honesty. I appreciate your comment.
DeleteSometimes the simplest truth is the most profound... Glad you pondered this!
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy. Yes, a simple truth often is profound. I'm glad I'm still learning this.
DeleteAlan, thank you for your thoughtful post. It's so easy to get distracted, or enraged by the horrid, tragic goings on in the world around us. Yet still you remind us, in the midst of it all, God so loves the world and needs us to keep showing the world that love. I try my utmost, by his grace, not to be one who adds to that pandemonium clatter. I long to walk in his royal law of love, being kind, graceful, patient, and all with a sense of humour - wherever I go and with whomever comes across my path. It's certainly a daily work of grace.
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda. Right now it's like the whole world is having a hissy fit. The world does what it is drawn to do. As believers we are to be different as you indicate. Yes, I agree with you, it is "certainly a daily work of grace." Stay faithful, my friend. God has us.
DeleteThanks, Alan. You have given me a lot to ponder. How can I show extraordinary love in my corner of the world? Hmmmm. Will be praying for guidance as I think this is bang on for ‘such a time as this’.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon! Thank you for weighing in on our love for the world.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alan, for sharing your heart in being a light how we can share God's love during this time of pandemonium--er--pandemic.I love your thought: "Instead of being overwhelmed we can overcome" by showing God's love as we reach out to others.
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