“Value others above yourselves, rather than out of selfish ambition or rivalry." ~ Philippians 2:3-4
I don’t like wearing face masks.
There, I said it!
They fog my sunglasses and make my face itch. It’s hard to talk clearly through them and
nearly impossible to pick up facial expressions that add important cues to
conversation. They also make it
impossible to forget the depressing reality that COVID-19, and its
restrictions, still plagues us.
It’s frustrating that experts from the Surgeon General to
the CDC have flip-flopped on their guidance.
But It shouldn’t surprise us.
It’s a brand-new, fast-moving crisis.
We probably won’t know for years what was right and wrong in our efforts
to stop COVID-19.
More than anything, I hate that masks have become such a
divisive political symbol. But, again,
not shocking. Everything today is
politicized. Inspiring stories. Sad stories.
Even weather stories. It bothers
me that in America, where half of the country hates the other so viscerally, people
won't even interact.
For Christians called to love our neighbors as ourselves
(Matthew 22:39), wearing a mask in public seems like a relatively easy way to
practice neighborly love. Rooted in
basic kindness and respect, practicing all reasonable precautions is actually
all about being faithful to Christ’s commands.
Given the confusion about how COVID-19 spreads, shouldn’t we
err on the side of more protective measures rather than less, for the sake of
neighbors we might unknowingly infect?
It’s easy to blame our leaders these days, and certainly
many are making mistakes. But let’s show
them grace (Romans 13:1–7). Instead of
rushing to disparage them, what if we gave them the benefit of the doubt -
respecting their authority and believing they’re working hard and trying their
best? Especially if compliance doesn’t
contradict our submission to Christ’s teachings. Go ahead and wear that mask “joyfully, not as
a burden,” (Hebrews 13:17) it’s a small cross to bear!
Scripture sometimes calls us to give up our freedoms for the
sake of the gospel. Few things are more
beautiful to witness than someone giving up their rights and freedom for the
sake of another (1 Cor. 9:22–23). Do we
want the non-believing world to look at Christians as reckless virus
super-spreaders who put their own freedoms ahead of the health of their larger
community? Or do we want them to look at
Christians as “servants to all,” willing to forego their freedoms out of
Christlike neighborly love?
If the small annoyance of wearing masks can help not only
save lives but also souls, winning more to the Gospel, isn’t it worth it?
Holy Spirit, grant us a peaceful heart. Teach us patience. Help us turn to You in prayer when we are
irritable or afraid, or when our journey seems too long. May all our efforts to guard and protect one
another become a shining witness to Your love, Amen.
