Insights Into The Covid-19 Church Era –Part XXXI
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for.” Our hope is that either Covid-19 is a hoax, not real, or it will just go away if it is real. Faith is “the evidence of things not seen.” Unless you personally know someone who has or had Covid-19, it is hard to believe that Covid-19 is a pandemic in spite over 4,000,000 positive tests and approaching upwards toward 200,000 deaths posted in the upper corners of television screens. Unlike the infamous Black Plague that wiped out 30-60% of urban residence, until we see carts of dead bodies being picked up in our streets, it is hard to believe that Covid-19 even exists.
As of this writing I do not know of any family member, even aunts, uncles, and cousins on either side of family tree who have been tested positive for Covid-19. The only exception is a daughter-in-law who is a nurse in Philadelphia who volunteered to help with public testing in a highly contagious city and caught the coronavirus. She recovered in two weeks.
Our local swimming pool hosts bathers and suntan enthusiasts who do not wear masks, thinking they are invincible. Unmasked, weekend backyard parties are prevalent everywhere. No one in the long line at the ice cream parlor sported a mask, even though it is State mandated. “No Shirt; No Shoes'; No Service” has been replaced by “No Mask; No Service.” Everyone is scared to enforce it, fearing they will loose the little business that is trickling in.
Not witnessing carts retrieving the dead does not mean Covid-19 exists. With isolation being a method of treatment, we don’t get to see the disease fully blown. Television is finally airing patient and medical staff testimonies. Their method is simple: The coronavirus is dangerous. Use masks, social distancing, hand washing, and isolation when needed.
Not being able to physically see something at the moment, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Seeing the unseen is the essence of faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for.” The key word is “substance.” Faith has a “substance” component. “Substance” is tangible. What can we do that is “tangible” to obtain this hope, which is the elimination of this disease? Things like respecting others, “being our brother’s keeper”, by “laying down our lives for our brethren,” by thinking “more highly of others than ourselves.” How can we do that? Through simple gestures like wearing a protective mask, social distancing, proper hygiene, not being part of large gatherings, etc.
One hope I have is not having a loved one with the coronavirus who gets drastically ill, hospitalized, and placed in an ICU unit. I hope they choose self-imposed quarantine over mandated quarantine in a hospital situation with the possibility of a lonely death away from loved ones. I am asking each of us to put some “substance” into our faith during this pandemic.
Instead of allowing the disease to be so divisive, let’s use some wisdom. That wisdom of self-care, being our brother’s keeper, thinking more highly of others above ourselves, and laying down our lives for others will go much further in brining unity among us, not division. Let’s move forward in unity.