Traditional ministry opportunities may have changed this year with churches being closed but I can tell you from personal experience how many hurting people there are online searching for help. I’ve been able to share more this year than ever before, the hope that Jesus offers. In the same vain I’ve willing shared what I’ve been able to learn about covid to help ease peoples fears with some contextual truths.
Counting cases rather than sick people is an easy way to direct a narrative. Focusing on one cause of death while not reporting on all the other causes of death is an easy way direct a narrative. To include deaths of those already dying from other causes is an easy way to direct a narrative.
I’ll not hold it against anyone if they don’t speak out against such matters but I can not sleep peacefully at night without doing so.
I’m thankful for those this year that have shared documentaries like “Sheep Among Wolves” showing how fast Christianity is spreading in Iran. “Out of Shadows” showing what those who control the media have been indoctrinating us with for decades. Interviews with former KGB agents detailing what is currently happening is straight out of their playbook.
One of the most memorable quotes I saw this year was “Make Orwell fiction again”.
I’ve written so many articles this year trying to wake people up spiritually to the point of a physical outworking being a compulsion rather than a choice. As I watched the documentary American Gospel I saw way to much of the Australian Church I’ve witnessed over many decades across multiple denominations. We have been given a unique opportunity this year to do something different. What have you done with the opportunities you’ve been given? What will you do each day next year?
I encourage you regardless of where in the world you live. Regardless of the government you are living under, you have opportunities everyday to share faith, hope and love with people in your community. How many of your neighbours in your street know your name? If they know your name, do they know what makes you tick? If you don’t feel comfortable visiting with them drop a hand written note in their letter box. It’s a small thing but it could be the difference between life and death for them. I met someone down the street this week who ended up sharing a lot more with me than I think they planned to. Some people just need a listening ear.
If you are on line in any capacity how often do you share of the hope you have? If you are concerned about someone’s reaction to what you have to share listen to the HCSKL playlist on youtube or itunes. After soaking in that playlist I now share my faith at a personal financial risk rather than stay quiet to ensure I sell more product. I’ve never hidden my faith but I have been less forthright with what I believe in previous years. This year as look around at what is happening in America, what is happening in the Middle East I don’t believe I can afford to be quiet a moment longer. Can you?
None of us know how long we have here. You’re time here could end due to a virus, being struck by lightening or being raptured. How it happens is irrelevant, when it happens is also somewhat irrelevant you weren’t created for the short time we are here. If you have a smart phone you have access to the world in the palm of your hands. You have a responsibility like never before what you do with your time here.
Don’t bother making a new years resolution this year most are broken before February. Start today there is still a week left in this year. Take every opportunity presented before you to love those you interact with. Smile at people when you are in public. Read name tags when shopping and call them by name. Love people like today might be your last day on earth, because for many reasons not covered by the news it might be. May you go forth preaching the good news to everyone in the world.
“First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me”
Martin Niemöller
Next Time: What would you like me to write about next year?
Neville Hiatt was the 2020 Press Services International Tronson Senior Writers Award Winner for Australia. His previous posts for can be read here.
He spent a decade working for Radio Stations before his career was intermissioned by someone in a hurry to get home from work. For more of his award winning creativity visit http://nevillehiatt.com.
He also blogs for http://altcoincollege.com/covering the way cryptocurrencies and blockchain are changing our world.