Tensions are High From the Bunker Day 55

A story was related to me last night that I found interesting and sad. It is a story of how fragile we are and how that impacts our behavior. Let me back track to give you perspective. This past year I found myself on the Bluffton Soccer train. Our foreign exchange student was on the team which meant we were at most games. As the season progressed, the already enthusiastic fans swelled in numbers. We (I say that vicariously) were headed to state. I remember sitting in the stadium and seeing all the people from Bluffton sitting as one people cheering on their team. The other team, a private school, had a smattering of spectators, while it was estimated that most of Bluffton had come out to see their team play. We lost but the enthusiasm for a well played season didn’t die. Businesses and individuals sponsored buses, paid for tickets, and offered scholarships to their home town heroes. I had never seen anything like it having lived in bigger cities most of my life. Now to the present story.

A small town shut down by a virus. People self quarantined in their homes. Social distancing will be the new phrase in our lexicon. Gloves, sanitizer, and masks are the outward evidence of a growing concern, if not fear. Almost three months have passed since the pandemic hit the U.S. The nation, states, and communities are trying to figure out how to establish a new normal where businesses can open and people begin to gather again. So when the community farmers market opened for the first time, visitors found fewer stalls spaced further apart and signs encouraging social distancing of six feet. All seemed well until a masked customer took offense at someone who didn’t don their mask. Words were were exchanged, tempers flared, accusations of murderous intent were hurled, and the once united community showed the tension and fear that can rip a community apart. People parted, no one was hurt, but the seed of “those” and “us” was planted. I’m glad we are not like that, because we are better then that, whatever side you are on.

In a few weeks we are going to open the doors of the church for worship services. We will have instructions that will impose moderate protocols for peace of mind and safety. We take the pandemic seriously while trusting the Lord’s sovereign grace over us. To be sure there will be people who will wear masks and those who don’t. There will be those who will stringently adhere to six feet social distancing and others who invade that space. There will be those who forget to use the sanitizer stations and others who are hawkish. There will be those who are busting out of their seams waiting for Church to reopen, and others who are more cautious and will choose to worship with us at home a while longer. The common bond between us all is the Spirit of God who calls us to love one another.

Romans 8:15, For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Fear should not be a part of our lexicon. We are the adopted children of God and love for one another is the driving characteristic of His children. As we reengage as a community we can be an example to the world of the love and grace we share in Christ. Therefore, watch what you post on social media. Don’t spread rumors or gossip. Give grace and mercy to those who disagree with you. Above all else, let’s glorify our Father in every possible way, because we are better than that. I’m just saying….

From the Bunker Day 55