I believe that everything we experience in life has a purpose to it. Sometimes it teaches us about who we are. Sometimes it teaches us what life is all about. And sometimes it teaches us about who God is. In the next couple of THOUGHTS, I want to share some lessons I have learned or relearned.
Here’s a profound thought: Covid is not a problem unless you have it. Therefore, do all you can to keep from contracting the virus. I tried. The mantra is, “wear a mask.” That’s a start, but there are a number of limitations to just wearing a mask. I was in the deli a couple of weeks ago and a lady had a silk scarf that she was holding over her mouth. That stopped nothing. It is important that the mask be one that is able to prevent the Covid droplets from reaching the mouth or nose. But even with the right mask, there are still other limitations. A third entrance of the virus is through the eyes. I saw a report that people who wear glasses had a 70% fewer chance of contracting Covid. And if someone with the virus should happen to breathe/sneeze/cough/whatever and the mask stops the contamination, you now have the problem of handling the mask with your hands and contaminating yourself with the virus. Hand washing is essential.
But the best way to avoid the virus is not to be where the virus is. I tried to limit my contact to those I felt reasonably certain had also tried to remain Covid-free. This, too, has its limitations. Unfortunately, it is impossible to be absolutely quarantined. And as I have tried to determine where I came in contact with the virus, I have scratched my head with no answer. You simply cannot know if you are in a Covid-free environment.
The conclusion to the matter is this: there is no absolute, certain, fool-proof way of avoiding exposure to the virus. Some have sought to minimize the severity of the virus and consequently do little to keep from getting it. And while it is true that some will have only a very mild reaction to it, it is also true that it can be deadly. I have no idea how serious my condition was, but my wife said that I scared her a couple of times. A wise person will utilize every precaution he can.
How people react to Covid parallels how people react to the presence of sin. Sin and its consequence of death is a reality for all. Scripture is clear that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). There is not one who has not been “infected.” And because the consequence of the “disease” is not always apparent, some go on living as if it does not exist. Such was the case of the of the rich man who said, “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee…” (Luke 12:19-20)
Then there are others who by human effort think that they will avoid the consequences of sin. Such was Saul of Tarsus. He describes his accomplishments in Philippians 3:4-6. But like my efforts to keep from getting the Covid virus were ineffectual, so too all human effort to avoid the consequences of sin are useless (Isaiah 64:6). Fortunately Saul realized this and found his salvation in the person of Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:7-8).
I hope that you will not come in contact with the Covid virus. I urge you to take all the precautions that you can. You do not want to deal with it. But even more so, while you may avoid the virus you cannot avoid the reality of the eternal consequences of sin apart from finding your salvation in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the cure.