By Jeff Larson, The Back Pew
I recently read the following by Rev. Glen. A. Land on the website of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri:
“As we are confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic…we should face this and every crisis that comes our way with courage. Fear has no place in the life of a believer. We affirm that God is in control. At times like this our actions either demonstrate the sincerity or the falsehood of those declarations. Our marriage vows include the phrase ‘in sickness or in health.’ Our commitment to God demands no less. By this I don’t discount completely the positive role that fear can play in our lives. If a rabid dog approaches, your fear response to that threat can save your life. What I speak of is the kind of unreasoning, paralyzing, despair-provoking fear that robs us of all hope, peace, and confidence in a future. We are promised eternal life. We are not promised an earthly life free of sickness, discomfort, or pain. Nor are we promised long life on this earth. In fact, sometimes to be obedient to Christ means risking our very lives.”
I believe it’s time for us to completely reopen our state and nation. We must stop hiding in fear from this disease. And Christians should lead the way. We can do it without throwing all caution to the wind. If we don’t, we are subject to lose our country. No more lockdowns. This can’t keep going on.
-Rev. Mark Creech