Such strange times.
One sneeze and people glance at you nervously. Bless you? Not anymore.
Cough and you’ll suddenly feel very alone in a packed room.
Runny nose? Don’t even sniffle!
And it gets worse with the change of seasons. All these winter bugs on the loose and hay fever in our face.
Covid 19 has complicated the simple life. Being sick nowadays confines you to a bubble that must not be burst just in case you are virus stricken.
Distancing
There are nonstop warnings about physically distancing ourselves from others to ensure the spread of the virus. This does not mean that we have to be distant emotionally or spiritually. In fact, I would say it is the time to spread good cheer. Don’t wait for Christmas.
I am so thankful that even through lockdowns and restrictions, friends and families have blessed us with their time, physical help and prayers. It makes so much of difference knowing you are loved even when you are in a bubble. Especially when you’re in one that cannot be burst for days and weeks.
What would Jesus do?
Those words may sound cliché but oh how we need to hear it. It’s not just what Jesus said in the Bible. What He did bears equal importance.
I love the Jesus that had compassion on the people with leprosy. Reaching out to touch the untouchable.
I love how he feeds the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes. Simply because they were hungry.
I love how he washed the feet of the disciples to show them what it meant to have a servant heart.
I love how he took time to pray with and talk to people.
I love that He made a way for us to go to Heaven by making the ultimate sacrifice.
You see.. I love that He was practical. His actions complemented His words.
Jesus, our example
Let’s challenge ourselves to be practical during this season. What we do in the physical realm affects the spiritual.
The famous love chapter, 1 Corinthians chapter 13, is a good starting point as to how we can be more like Jesus.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians chapter 13, verses 4-7)
It is as simple as asking ourselves – “Am I patient?” “Am I kind?” “Do I keep records of wrong or do I forgive?” “Do I rejoice with the truth?”
And it’s ok if we are not perfectly good at this living and loving like Jesus thing. The Bible shows us all the time how God loves and uses imperfect people. So you know what? There’s hope for you and me. He is working in us and through us. In words and in action, let’s live and love like Jesus.