Luke 12:4-5
“I’m speaking to you as dear friends. Don’t be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I still remember a Sunday afternoon when my mother entered our basement and found me stitching together a dress. “You are sewing on a Sunday?” she asked with indignation? My teenage self found this a perfectly acceptable activity for the afternoon of our “Day of Rest.” But at the time, my mother was not in agreement. I also recall when she told me that I could decide for myself whether to attend a junior high dance…but I would have to live with the consequences. It seemed like there were a lot of “rules” surrounding the church when I was young. While the nature of some of these changed over time, other tenets and directives have taken their place in many instances.
In recent months, there have been plenty of “religious” leaders and church members across the world that have insisted that in-person worship – often unmasked – is where we ought to be when the church doors are open. Some have maintained that vaccinations, masking and social distancing are not necessary – that God will take care of His people. Sadly, many of these same folks have fallen ill with COVID-19 – and some have died from it.
Some have listened to mortal men and women who claim that this person or that group is unacceptable or “less than” in some way – even while they profess to love and serve a Savior who told us to “love one another.” Some have claimed an unfounded “safety and security” in the rules and tenets of a church body rather than in what God tells in His word – and Christ Jesus demonstrated in His life, death and resurrection.
Some of us have become so caught up in what “the church” says or does that we have forgotten to listen to God. We have forgotten that every good gift comes from Him…and I believe this includes the scientific wisdom of precautions and protocols to address this pandemic and Jesus’ demonstrations of inclusion of all people. We are so afraid of what others will think of us – especially those in our church family, community or our own circle of influence – that we are willing to compromise our values or twist what we know God is telling us to conform and feel more comfortable.
I would rather have others upset with me because of my stance than to know that I did not listen to God. I know this is a deeply personal and individual choice. But when I let God decide for me, I trust that He will guard and guide me through any challenges, ridicule, or division. Obeying God with faith and courage may cause us to be disconnected from other humans…but it will never separate us from God Himself. And shouldn’t this be our goal?
Joshua 24:15 tells us…“If you decide that it’s a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you’d rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you’re now living. As for me and my family, we’ll worship God.” Jesus reminds us in Luke 12:4-5 that when we choose to listen to God, we are putting our faith and hope in the One who holds us in His hands – body and soul, forever and ever. My prayer is that you would choose to listen to God over man every time – and live with the hope, courage and confidence of His power and presence. Alleluia, and Amen!
©2021 Debbie Robus
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