This is a question that Jesus asked on several occasion and particularly in his encounter with Mary and Martha. I’m borrowing the question, not expounding the text.
Jamaica has just re-elected the JLP, with a significantly greater majority to form the next government until 2025. While some persons are still celebrating victory, and others are still smarting from defeat, COVID-19 pandemic is still with us. There are two major concerns with the pandemic that begs the question, what really matters. These are the significant spikes in cases which indicate community spread; the increased number of deaths and the growing number of those who care for the infected persons, are themselves now infected thus putting tremendous pressure on the health system and frontline workers.
The other issue is the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on the whole country.
Data produced by the IDB, of an electronic survey done of countries in the region, show that 72.2 percent of households in Jamaica lost income in April of this year. These were from employment loss, business closure, remittances and loss of rental income. In addition 59.1 percent of low income households were impacted by loss of employment. So lower income households, earning minimum wage were affected by loss of income. The study also noted that more women in this income level were affected than the men. An additional burden was placed on women the study showed, as 72 percent reported that they were responsible for coordinating home schooling for the children So can you imagine, low income or loss of income coupled with being at home with children and managing their schooling. No wonder some of these children in lower income households
had challenges accessing electronic schooling.
What really matters for us as church is how we help those most affected to deal with the crisis. People are in need and are crying out. They may not be banging on our doors for help, but they want support, and the response we make is part of what the church has been called to do, to bind up the broken hearted, and to proclaim deliverance to the captives (captured by demonic and spiritual oppression).
Could it be that the result of the last general election suggests that people are not really concerned about Green P or Orange P, but about survival issues. Hence their attraction at this time to the P they think cares and can deliver the goods and services they need to survive. When people are poor and in need, issues don’t matter; Morality does not matter, truth does not matter, what matters is who can deliver the goods at this time.
How does the church minister in this context?
We have to show that we care. That we want not only the souls of men, but we are concerned about the body in which the soul dwells. That is why when the disciples, watching the bottom line, told Jesus to send away the people, Jesus said to them, “You give them something to eat....” Matt 14:16. I have just preached to them, now you feed them.
Another interesting lesson from the polls which can help us in ministry is that people value consistency and trust. The manifestos of both parties were ideologically similar. In the minds of the people, “why should I swap black daag for monkey?” What matters for the people is who can deliver or who can provide the goods consistently? While we contend with ‘vote buying’ and government officers using state funds to attract political support, the issue is where people are and how they perceive that their needs can be met and who can do it. Ideologies, issues, morality and truth are secondary.
Sadly, the church could be equally accused of similar behaviour.
I picked up a little insight from Dr Jim Denison’s “Daily Article” online. This is what he said, “God's word urges us, "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8). Commenting on this statement, theologian Wayne Grudem notes: "Where love abounds in a fellowship of Christians, many small offenses, and even some large ones, are readily overlooked and forgotten. But where love is lacking, every word is viewed with suspicion, every action is liable to misunderstanding, and conflicts abound—to Satan's perverse delight."
What really matters is that we care, and that we care consistently. That we love one another and we show love to those outside the household of faith. It is by our love that men and women, boys and girls will be drawn to Christ.
What do you think?
Pastor