What We Can Do to Glorify God in the Midst of Covid-19?

The great mission of Christianity was in reality accomplished

by means of informal missionaries. –Adolf Harnack

 

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

                 As followers of Christ, we want to bring hope in the midst of fear, economic upheaval, and physical challenges many will face in the weeks ahead. Jesus told his followers, “let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) Light pierces the darkness. We can shine brightly by reaching out to those who are facing physical, financial, and emotional crisis because of coronavirus. We are being encouraged to practice “social distancing,” minimizing the physical contact we will have with people we meet. Many members of our communities will be isolated because they are at high risk for contracting the coronavirus due to age or underlying health conditions.

Churches can mobilize volunteers to show the love of Christ in practical ways offering relief and hope in this time of fear and crisis. Consider the challenges caused by the virus as opportunities for us to shine the light of Christ in the midst of darkness.

Try to make contact via phone, text, or email with the person in need, and ask what they may need specifically (ex. make sure if you buy them milk, they will be home to receive it)


  • If you are unable to make contact and want to buy groceries for drop off, purchase non-perishable items such as canned soup, canned vegetables, bottled water, individually wrapped snacks (Get pop-tops on canned goods if possible)

  • Ask if they have prescriptions they need refilled that you may be able to pick up for them

  • Do they have pets that have needs you can help with? 

  • Do they need pet food?   (Sometimes people care for their animals before they care for themselves)

 

            Try to make contact via phone, text, or email with the person in need, and ask what they may need specifically (ex. make sure if you buy them milk, they will be home to receive it) 

If you are unable to make contact and want to buy groceries for drop off, purchase non-perishable items such as canned soup, canned vegetables, bottled water, individually wrapped snacks (Get pop-tops on canned goods if possible)

           Ask if they have prescriptions they need refilled that you may be able to pick up for them

Do they have pets that have needs you can help with? Ex. Do they need pet food?   (Sometimes people care for their animals before they care for themselves)

  • Do they need help getting their trash can emptied? (Is there a weekly trash pick-up in the neighborhood, do they usually take their trash to a dump?)
  • Can you drop off a copy of a weekly church sermon?
  • Food Banks/Pantries will likely take a hit during this time. Can you help there or donate to them?
  • Share cards, calls, notes, and text messages regularly
  • Offer FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, etc. tutorials for those who want to communicate this way
  • Develop a “Buddy Program” within our church. Younger people can match-up with older people within the church. “Buddies” can check in on each other during the week.
  • Are you willing to help in our Community? Churches are needed who are willing to provide food boxes to people in the community. Churches are needed who are willing to call isolated people and check on them/pray for them. The need may arise where churches with a kitchen will need to cook for people in the community. Are you willing to help?
  • Hospitals are in dire need of blood donations right now, and you could save a life by giving. If you are not in a high risk group, and are currently healthy, please consider making an appointment to give: https://www.redcross.org/

The Spiritual Fitness Needed in the Face of CORIV-19.

"But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become

a stumbling block to those who are weak"

-1 Corinthians 8:9

.

The Coronavirus pandemic has caused many to do things they feel satisfied in doing, yet their conscience causes discomfort because they know what they do brings dis-ease to many others. Sometimes the things we do aren't a good example for weaker or less mature Christians.

 

     Our Christian liberty should always be balanced by our desire for the good of others. We have a responsibility not to harm nor injure the spiritual growth of other believers. 

     We must exercise our spiritual freedom by doing our best to edify one another. As followers of Christ we should not allow our conduct in the midst of non-moral issues to destroy another person's conscience.

     "Resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way" -Romans 14:13b.

     As Christians we are not immune to life's difficulties and that includes CORIV-19. But God has a purpose for all we experience. The sufferings of life challenges us to exercise spiritual muscle and produce true Christian character.

 

So Jesus said to them again,

“Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

—John 20:21