When the US sneezes, the world catches a cold. What happens when it has severe covid-19?
I saw this title online and became sad. When this article was written, in the middle of this year, gloom was predicted for the world by the end of the year 2020, which would be felt in 2021. There would be shrinking of the US economy and so will the economies in the rest of the world. Unemployment will rise, more people will join or go under the poverty line and there will be serious social unrest. From the standpoint of the Reuters’ columnist, there will be economic and social chaos.
The COVID-19 cases and deaths have risen significantly in the US since this article was
penned. America and its handling or mishandling of the COVID-19 crises is now a threat to the rest of the world. There are 14.2 million cases and 276,000 deaths, with the number of new cases rising daily. Jamaica has also seen a steady increase in confirmed cases and death of 260 persons since the writing of this article. Are we feeling the ‘cold’ from this ‘sneeze?
Everyone has to wipe their own nose from this pandemic. Nose wiping is the response each nation makes in developing the appropriate Disaster response strategies to curtail the spread of the virus while at the same time manage the economic, social, political and physical health of its people and economy. It behoves all nations and all persons to be responsible and to act neighbourly as together we resist COVID.
The world in solemn stillness lay....and waiting. We wait for an end the onslaught of this virus on our lives. We wait for the time when we can again freely to see family and friends without risking being infected. We wait to see an end to the suffering caused by this corona virus. And the world in expectation –waits. The world is waiting for a messiah. But what is the nature and characteristic of this messiah? Is it a Messiah who will solve all our problems without making any demands of us? Is it a Messiah who will just wave a magic wand and the world will be covid-19 free?
The world to which Christ first came was a world in darkness and chaos. Christ offered peace to the troubled heart of men and He does so today. This messiah however is not a vaccine to wipe away all our problems. No vaccine is no substitute for loving, caring transforming behaviour which comes from transformed lives. As the messiah transforms our heart and our lives then the wearing of masks to protect our neighbours and ourselves become a small action. Resisting the temptation to have large gatherings with persons not wearing masks would be an act of kindness and a demonstration that the messiah who transforms lives is here. Advent is not about an external saviour who cleans up our mess, but one who works within our hearts, so we can have a less messy
world.
What kind of messiah are you looking for? What changes are you willing to make this advent season, to make your home, your family, your community, your country and your world a better place? How will you resist the pandemic at your door and your neighbour’s door, while ensuring that none of our children are left behind? How will you wipe your nose and your neighbour’s nose as you adjust to this severe case of covid-19?
The world in solemn stillness lay..... waiting. How will you wait?
Keep safe, you and your neighbour in Jesus name.
Pastor.