In our continuing journey through what my 11 year old grandchildren now call, “ the corona” we are still distanced from our usual routine of life and work.
The quick spread of this pandemic around our planet has touched every society. Many in our world have been filled with concern and even fear. Every day the stories repeat in our daily news and media, sometimes calming, most often disturbing.
I came across writing by a friend and former Salvation Army colleague, Bob Hostetler, from one of his articles in Guideposts magazine. In it he brings to our attention a piece written by C. S. Lewis, called “On living in an Atomic Age”. It was written more than 70 years ago when Cold War tensions and nuclear proliferation fears were spreading like a virus across the world.
I offer part of that essay to you today as worthy of our consideration:
“The first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb, when it comes, find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds. (Present Concerns by C.S. Lewis, Harvest Books, 1987)“
I noticed right away the prophetic mention by Lewis of “a microbe”. But even more important was his references to prayer, going about our daily routine, “not huddled together like frightened sheep” in worry or fear.
The old faithful 23rd psalm reminds me that I have a shepherd. Not just any shepherd, but One who spoke worlds into existence, who calmed troubled seas, who repeated to his followers over and over in so many different circumstances “Do not be afraid” .
I learned years ago in my personal battle with cancer, to do everything I could and leave the biopsy results to God. My frequent prayer then: “God I’m doing everything I can, Please do everything you can”.
So keep on praying, working, bathing the children and reading . . . . We have a shepherd who is still in charge and caring for us sheep.
In the midst of these times, I pray that you will hear that confident voice of the Holy Spirit, doing his job of reminding us of the words of Jesus, “ these things have I spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jn 16:33
So keep on praying, working, bathing the children and reading . . . . We have a shepherd who is still in charge and caring for us sheep.
written by Major Charles “Chuck” Kelly, Retired Officer and Pastoral Care Officer for THQ & CFOT Officers, USA East
