Friday, December 11th, 2020:
On my lunchbreak, driving to pick up food, I prayed. I was praying because I heard that a customer from work had just died from complications related to Covid 19. Two things came out of that prayer time. One was a profound anger about this whole pandemic situation; not merely the sickness itself, but all the politics. The other thing was the question, what if I had less than twelve months to live? I am secure in my faith, but somehow having confidence in my salvation and really coping with the possibility of a shortened lifespan are two different things. This thought about a shortened lifespan was not based on fear of catching Covid, but instead, dying because of governmental actions. Will life in America persist normally for years to come, or is it all about to explode into civil conflict, foriegn occupation, or even a world war? It’s hard to know what information to believe, but never before in my life have these possibilities seemed more real.
As I pulled into the parking lot of the local bar to pick up my order, I noted that there were only one or two cars in the lot. Granted, it was early in the day, but the emptiness of the place only stoked the anger I was feeling about the politics of the plandemic. Here in Michigan, bars and restaurants have yet again been limited to takeout only. I have often considered the irony that for my grandparent’s generation, the Democratic party was considered the party of the people, and now that same party pushes the hardest for shutdown measures which hurt small businesses while helping fast food chains and big box stores.
I was indeed the only customer when I went in to get my food. I only saw one worker. I told her that I appreciated them hanging in there and sticking with it. Her reply was something to the effect of, “We’re trying.”
On top of the urge to say something encouraging, I felt led to pray for the business with whoever was in there. I am ashamed to say that I did not step out in faith and do that. I felt awful about that.
It’s imperative that I start letting go more and faithfully following those promptings from the Spirit, not doing so out of any sort of compulsion, but out of love and freedom and faith with authority, being so filled and aware of God’s presence that I forget about myself. As it was written in Paul’s letter to Timothy, we have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound judgment.
With actions like these, do you have any idea the ripple effect you might have, either positively, or in the case of a lack of action, potentially negatively? God help me, have mercy. I pray for grace on the situation.
Andrew K. Banks 