I Wonder…

I am a person of faith serving people at a busy medical clinic. I like studying health related issues and some areas of science. As a person of faith working in the medical field, sometimes my faith gets tested and many times my medical knowledge and abilities are tested. COVID-19 is testing both. My knowledge and experience guide me but my faith is my anchor.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) was first identified in the city of Wuhan, China. This virus is believed to have come into humans after an animal was eaten. Exactly how COVID-19 is spreading from one person to another is not precisely known (CDC.gov 20 March 2020).

COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus (Novel, meaning it has never been detected or seen in humans). Coronaviruses is a family of diseases including Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, (MERS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, (SARS) and others. The word “Corona” is used to describe the crown-like spikes on the surface on the virus.

Currently, there is no natural defense or immunity against COVID-19. Since the transmission from person to person is not thoroughly understood, many governments have closed schools, churches, workplaces and other interests. Though drastic, these and other measures are much needed to curtail a virus we do not have a full understanding or a cure.

In short, this virus has spread quickly and continues to infect hundreds of thousands of people with projections for many more to be infected. If you are interested in tracking COVID-19 by the numbers, use Johns-Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) or www.cdc.gov site.

For official guidelines on how to plan and prepare for COVID-19 in your life, use www.coronavirus.gov or The Whitehouse at www. whitehouse.gov. These sites contain information one can use to have a better understanding of COVID-19. Regardless of what we read or see or how we feel, it is important to remember, as followers of Christ, we “live life by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

During the pandemic of COVID-19, I’ve been wondering about many things.

I wonder why schools, churches and businesses have been shut down but our borders are still open and passenger airline flights national and international are still flying? The CDC states that a person can be infected with COVID-19 but not exhibit symptoms and not even test positive.

I wonder if those who are panic-buying and hoarding have thought about what could happen to all their things if a tornado, fire, flood, hurricane would destroy their homes. What if a thief broke into their home and took all they owned?

I wonder why it takes a crisis to motivate people to rely on themselves instead of our government. Our government (Regardless if Democrat or Republican led) has proved time and again they cannot handle more than one or two natural disasters at a time. Nor can the government quickly and efficiently provide medical care, water or the most basic of staples to those engulfed in natural disasters. Personal responsibility does more for the individual than any government.

I wonder if the creativity of people has been given an opportunity to thrive. Delivery of food, education, medical care and yes, even faith, has forever changed. Creativity caused by necessity already has had an impact on how schools and churches operate. The ones that are creative in their delivering of education and application of biblical truths to real-life scenarios will survive and thrive in the future.

I wonder with every student being home schooled – will the national and state Departments of Education view home schoolers as their equals and allow future home schoolers to continue without further interference, restrictions and burdensome requirements?

I wonder in what ways our nation will be different when this pandemic is over? For instance, will we Americans, be more generous, kinder and considerate of others who are suffering? Or, will we become arrogant, selfish, and angry?

I wonder how many Christians realize this COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to serve those in need? There is no better way to become more like Christ than to serve people in the time of their need.

The Old Testament tells us of a small group of people who were “…men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32). In context, these 200 men know what was happening around them, knew of the dangers and the times to come – they knew what needed to be done. Are you a person who knows what to do?

Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-20). Want to know where your heart is with God? What are you doing with your time, talents, treasure (what you value) and ability to touch others through service?

During this time of unparalleled fear and turmoil, Christians are to focus on what Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth, light of the world, let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13, 14, 16).

It is good to remember what the apostle Paul wrote, “For God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). Followers of Christ have nothing to fear, because “greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Now is the time for Christians to move forward, to be the salt and light Jesus commanded us to be. We should not worry, as Paul wrote to Christians, “For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:7-8).

Clayton Adams has a message of faith he would like to share with the community. He would also like to hear from you. Email him at claytonpadamslll@gmail.com.

Clayton Adams