Leroy Richardson/Contributing writer
For the past 16 months, most of America has been in the throes of the Coronavirus or Covid-19. It started out as seemingly not that bad but quickly escalated to what has become known as the Pandemic. Is it possible that anything good could come out of such a devastating virus that killed over a half-million people in the U.S. Alone?
Many of us have either tested positive for Covid-19 or know someone who has. Others know someone who deceased after contracting Covid-19.
During this pandemic, the experience of dying alone perpetrated families. Not being able to visit loved ones in the hospital and nursing homes took its toll on so many nationwide. This doesn’t take into account those, like me, who had loved ones to die during the pandemic that wasn’t from Covid. Funeral services were limited in scope and hindered the grieving process. What can we learn from such an awful experience? I want to suggest at least three things the pandemic taught us: 1) Eliminate Inefficiencies, 2) Love Like Its The Last Time, and 3) Be Thankful.
First, we learned to eliminate inefficiencies. We found the need to scale back on some things in church, home, and on the job.
Many jobs worked from home; no need for all the office space many deemed necessary to do business. Extensive travel commutes ceased. Stores found to be open 24 hours a day wasn’t necessary. Home became more of a safe sanctuary rather than a place where everybody passed through on their way somewhere else. Some parents realized parenting is hard work with kids present all the time.
Also, church programs were not as important as so many religiously assumed them to be. Order of services trimmed down. Messages were to the point. Online communion administered at home. Three o’clock services eliminated without an outcry.
A lot of inefficiencies eliminated, but yet life moved on. What we learned is that we have so many Time Wasters and Unnecessary Programs in our lives. In three years of ministry Jesus saved the world. This teaches us that Jesus Christ is the most efficient person that ever lived. It teaches us that doing things Jesus’ way saves time and money.
A second thing the pandemic taught us is to Love Like It’s The Last Time.
My brother John died at 67 during the pandemic. The last time I saw him was at his home. He died at the hospital and I was not there. He didn’t die of Covid. Nevertheless, our last visit was at his home.
We don’t know when the last time we will see family, friends, or enemies. Jesus reminds us in Luke 6:35, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” Be kind to everyone.
The pandemic taught us to always love one another as Christ loves us. Don’t wait until the time is right to love. Love like it’s the last time. Don’t leave a person’s presence without doing everything in our power to resolve any conflict. Love like it’s the last time.
Final and third, Be Thankful! The pandemic taught us to be thankful. Be thankful for who you are, for what you got, for your family. Be thankful for your church, your friends, and your job. Be thankful you reached retirement, for your health, and your sober mind. Be thankful for your enemies. Be thankful for the country you live in. Gratitude is one of the greatest joy-givers. I hope we all learned to be more grateful post-pandemic.
Most of all, be thankful to God the Father of Jesus Christ. Be thankful for Jesus Christ, His sacrifice, His Death, His Resurrection, and His Ascension. Be thankful He sent the Holy Spirit, the Comforter to live inside of us. Be thankful that Jesus Christ sits on the right hand of Father God making intercession for us. Be thankful He is coming back again to receive us to Himself. Oh, what a glorious day that will be!
There is probably many more things you learned through the pandemic. Whatever they are, remember them forever and do not regress post-pandemic. Amen.