TO Be Free...To Be Gracious, Wise, and Loving

13 For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity[a] for the flesh, but serve one another through love.  Galatians 5:13 (CSB)

Facing a pandemic, without knowing who will catch the disease or when it will end, is hard. No one is an expert on surviving socially, emotionally, spiritually and physically in a time like this. We all struggle with multiple stressors during this pandemic; the civil unrest across our country, death of a loved one, navigating other illnesses, or the ordinary concerns we had before this began.

Across the U.S, the shelter-at-home and the mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers, are being lifted. There are many respecting the social distancing guidelines and are also wearing masks for extra precaution. However, there are those who are braving the community bare-faced, without fear or maybe in the face of fear. As a result, in some places we are seeing an increase in the spread of the virus.

For some, following the suggested prevention guidelines for Covid-19 can be a challenge. Seemingly simple instructions, though not easy to do. People have real concerns about personal freedoms being lost, not just for now, but with future issues - with this time period used as a precedent. Others have pre-existing conditions that make breathing even harder with a mask. 

Hour by hour as fear and anxiety volley for control of our choices, we confront our mortality. Let’s face it; it’s easy to forget to refrain from touching our faces or to wash our hands after touching anything! It’s also easy to forget to grab a mask before you rush out the door to pick up something or to abstain from a much-needed hug from a loved one. OR maybe it’s hard to afford packs of masks for your family when you must choose between masks  vs.  having bus fare to work  vs.  taking a LYFT to the grocery store. And for some of us, this is a crisis of faith.  Do I believe that the virus is as deadly and severe as others say?  If I wear a mask, am I walking in faith?

 Truth be told, many of us struggle with self-regulation, refusal skills, and not getting what we want when we want it. We were not ready to be responsible for public health or even taking care of our own health. Some call out this behavior as rebellion. Others prefer terms such as self-centered or socially unaware. Whatever you call it, we have all been called to a public accountability for our choices. 

I would encourage us to go a step beyond public accountability.  We are called to be gracious and wise.  As believers we are free.  We have the liberty to choose to do right or wrong.  More importantly, we have the liberty to choose to do what is loving and kind for others.  As we navigate this new normal and wrestle with our “what ifs”, let's remember that for some, this virus is deadly, for others it’s terrifying, but for all of us, it is an opportunity to walk in love. What grace is needed to respond well? What wisdom to help in a time of serious need? This is an opportunity to use our freedom as an expression of service and love.  Mask up.  Not because we are mandated by the state  but because we have a mandate to love.   It's a loving thing to do.

Resources

Why You’ll Never Be Free Until You Start Obeying God _ Crossway Articles