Though the pandemic hovers still, in some places of vaccine hesitancy or refusal more than others, we are perhaps encouraged to the same degree this March 2022 as we were discouraged in March 2020. Daily we read or see the case numbers declining. In some states, mask mandates have been lifted or modified. As Spring approaches, with its hallmarks of renewal and rebirth, our spirits are lifting, our hope soaring that even if the virus doesn’t disappear altogether, it will morph into something we can live with. Like the flu, or allergy season.
We need a break from this villain of nature to better concentrate upon and fight the villains in human form. At this posting, Russia forces continue their evil assault upon Ukraine, ultra conservative voices spew discord and division within our communities, voting rights are under attack, and the nation lives in a surreal world, unable to own the truth of its history and intentionally turn away from it to become the people God created us to be.
The United States is a flawed nation; but I would not want to live anywhere else. There is within it still an opportunity for renewal, for rebirth, for redesign that is respectful of all citizens and others who reside here. I am not naive; I know there are those amongst us who would love nothing more than to see us fail as a democracy. And yes, I acknowledge that democracy has not been, and in too many instances continues to be nonexistent for too many. But my hope springs eternal because I believe in God and His ultimate authority. I quote a phrase from Max Lucado, “I hereby resign from being ruler of the universe.” He wrote it to remind us that God’s plans are often beyond our comprehension. I think this holds true in every aspect of human life, especially in times like today and in situations noted above.
As we shake off the stupor-induced residuals of the pandemic, let us move anew to right wrongs, to speak truth to power, to rebut falsehoods, to “shame the devil” as the old folks used to say. Let us be in this nation, a people dedicated to the faith we profess as Christians, living by doing unto others what we would want them to do unto us. And may God guide us with wisdom and grace as we do so.
Peace. Joy. Love.