By: Rev. Gerald D. Adams
Reel Urban News COVID-19 Series
COVID-19 is here and it is real. Regardless of the speculations about its beginning, the conspiracy theories surrounding its purpose, and the folly of the many regarding the return to the bottom line, COVID-19 is now. If one takes the time to quietly observe what is going on across the world scene, some lessons from this current pandemic emerge. I heard somebody singing, maybe God is trying to tell us something. The Old Testament Micah offers the genesis for our thinking.
Micah 6:8 New King James Version (NKJV) 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 The Message (MSG) 8 But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously take God seriously.
Micah tells us definitely how God expects us to live and what He is looking for from his created order.
Lesson One: Do justly. This lesson has to do with observing the way that the corona virus has not discriminated. African Americans and low income persons in our country to be sure are showing a higher rate of infection compared to their population numbers. This may have to do with the fact that they have not been treated justly. If the playing field was leveled, those differences would probably not have been so pronounced. What about comparable access to medical diagnosis and treatment? What about affordable health insurance premiums? What about a living wage? What about doing justly?
Lesson Two: Love mercy. It is always amazing that in time of crisis, people are generally more compassionate than at other times. Look at how food is now being shared. Food banks are giving out more food than usual but their stocks are being replenished by greater charitable donations. Big businesses are making the manufacturing of necessary goods a priority. The rich few are making their riches more available to the poorer masses. Mercy is being practiced.
Also, the biblical quality of mercy that has to do with forgiveness becomes clear. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Forgive us our debts (trespasses) as we forgive our debtors ( those who trespass against us). Are we loyal in our love not just for our families but for all humankind?
Lesson Three: Walk humbly with your God. How is your relationship with the creator? Have you forgotten that you are a part of the created order? As such, you cannot ignore the creator. Not only can you not ignore the creator, you cannot set yourself against him. Our arms are too short to box with God. We cannot assume to know the mind of the sovereign. Our posture must be to always trust in the Lord and do good. Your meditation will help you fill in the blanks that space and time does not permit in this sharing.
Do not take COVID-19 lightly. Since we have been slowed down, why not take the time to observe the whole world order and see if these lessons are worthy of serious consideration. See if there are actions that you need to take and to put into practice. By the way, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Is human life more important than the bottom line?
Be safe. We are all in this together.
Rev. Gerald D. Adams, Religion Editor, ReelUrbanNews.com, is the author of, “So You’ve Been Called,” and the retired pastor of The Greater True Friendship Baptist Los Angeles. Rev. Adams now resides in Dallas, Texas has been contributing to Reel Urban News since 2013.
