Dear Fellow Children of God,
What do you do when someone asks you a question for which
you don’t have an answer?
On July 12 at the wedding of Chebon Jimenez and Laurelee
Zola I asked Chebon’s aunt a question.
Ellen Lentz Bang is a nurse practitioner who operates All Seasons Family
Health Care. As we discussed the
situation with the coronavirus I asked her what she thought. Ellen’s answer to my question was, “That’s
above my pay grade.” She didn’t have an answer.
Sometimes people think that pastors have most, or even
all the answers to life. If anyone wants
to come talk with me, I can educate you on my lack of knowledge in many, MANY,
areas. But, I am still often asked,
“Pastor, what do you think about the coronavirus?” I could give my opinion. But, you know what
is said about opinions – they are like armpits.
Everybody has one.
COVID-19 Numbers are increasing. In some states more of the infected are in
hospitals. How serious is this
disease? And what about the many who are
a-symptomatic? What about those with
pre-existing conditions that make them susceptible to the lung problems caused
by this virus? What is the best way for us as a society to face these
questions? The truth is, I don’t know.
I an saw article from the Barna Institute which studies
churches. The article says, “One
in Three Practicing Christians Has Stopped Attending Church During COVID-19.” For a while, when states
suspended worship in order to stop spread of the disease, many Christians were
attending worship on-line. But, reports
are that those numbers have greatly decreased.
And what about the third commandment where God commands, “Remember the
Sabbath Day to Keep it Holy?” What about keeping our faith strong through the
word and sacraments, through worship and service? How does the Jesus’ church deal with the
dangers, the fears, and also answer the call to serve our Lord? The truth is, I don’t know.
I have 2 grown children who are teachers. The School District has a plan for starting
school again. They will teach as
directed by their leaders. But, what if students
pass on the disease to other students.
What if teachers get sick? And if
the schools close, what will happen to parents who need to leave home for
work? The truth is, I don’t know.
I do not have the answers to these questions. But, perhaps I can share 3 bits of wisdom
which are directing me in this time of my lack of knowledge. First, throughout Scripture the 2 great
commandments according to Jesus are, 29 . . . "The most important is, 'Hear, O
Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the
Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind
and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'You shall love
your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than
these." (Mark 12:28-31)
How do these commandments help me face the questions we have about this disease? I am relatively healthy, so I am attending
church services to worship my Lord regularly.
In addition, even when I don’t have the answers to these questions, God calls
me to love Him and to love others. So,
I’m trying to follow a promotional poster I saw from the state of Arizona which
said, “My mask does not protect me. It protects you.” Therefore, when in public I hope to remember
to wear a mask so that I don’t hurt someone else unknowingly.
Second, Lutheran Christians have many teachings based on
Scripture. I find direction in a document called “The
Formula of Concord,” in the 10th thesis of this document. Lutheran Christians say that if something is
commanded or forbidden by the word of God we are bound by the clear word of
God. However, in areas where there is no
clear word of God commanding or forbidding, we have freedom, freedom to serve
God and to love others. I should not
criticize your freedom, nor should you criticize mine. Unfortunately, because of the lack of clear
direction, this whole epidemic has become very divisive. My oldest son says that he has been publicly
criticized, or as he says “given the stink-eye”, both for wearing a mask and for
forgetting to wear a mask. My wife,
Kathy, was asked her opinion by a friend about how to deal with this epidemic. She has said to family and friends that, “I
won’t change anyone else’s mind. I will
do what I think is right.” She shares
her opinions when asked, and seeks to live as a child of God. I hope to do the same thing.
Third and finally, in 1 Corinthians 1 God tells us about His wisdom. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks
seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to
Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both
Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is
stronger than men.” (1
Corinthians 1:22-25 ) In a world that raises questions for which we
don’t have clear answers, there is one who has all wisdom: the Lord. God’s wisdom is greater and stronger than our
opinions, or our so-called wisdom. God’s
greatest wisdom is Jesus, who was crucified to pay for the sin of the
world. Death by crucifixion does not seem wise. But Jesus is the greatest wisdom of the
world, God’s wisdom. In Jesus’ life and
death and resurrection God offers eternal life.
When we don’t know how to answer, there IS one who is wise. We find that wisdom in Jesus.
I don’t have the answers to questions I receive
concerning the coronavirus. But, I hope
I will choose to love and trust God and His wisdom. I pray I’ll work to love my neighbor and act
in freedom to serve my Lord and to serve them.
Finally, I will trust the wisdom, the power, and the love of my Lord and
Savior of the universe. I don’t have the
answers, but I trust that God has answers for life here, and for eternity.
A Child of God, Trusting God’s Wisdom When I Lack It!
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. I have been on the Kenai peninsula for over a
week.
·
Here are pictures of family fun.
·
I have done some fishing, but not yet
catching. Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/9JobFbJrk5b1Pc9n9
*****
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now
retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK. My weekly
devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."
However, with life's changes I now call the devotion "Journeys Through
Life as a Child of God." I am only sending this message to those who
have asked to receive it. If you know someone else who desires to receive
this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net. I will
include them on my distribution list. You can also view this message on my
Facebook page.
A NUMBER OF PEOPLE
HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS. Since I’m only sending these e-mails to
people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them. BUT, if you read this on Facebook and like to
receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know someone who would like to
receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add
you to my distribution list.
Child of God
Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church
907-841-4066 – cell
907-746-5131 – home
E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net
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