Tuesday; March 10

          As if we didn’t have enough stuff to worry about, now we are inundated with information (and misinformation) about the latest illness to inflict our nation – and our world.  Honestly, I am not a scientist nor am I a medical expert so I will leave all the debate about contagion to them, but one thing we mustn’t lose sight of is our need to continue to interact with people.  We are not designed to live in isolation, God created us to need each other.  Sure the uncertain spread of a disease might give some cause to think about interpersonal interaction, but we must keep in mind that we need the emotional and physical contact with people.  Yes, physical contact is how disease is spread, but that is also how the Gospel is spread.  When we think about it, one of the greatest times of growth in Christianity came when leprosy was an everyday reality, but people were willing to interact with each other.  In fact, one of the most humane stories of Jesus ministry reminds us, “While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ And immediately the leprosy left him.” (Luke 5:12-13).   If the First Century Christians were willing to interact with people who had leprosy, maybe there a message about brotherly love in there for us today?
I hope you don’t misinterpret what I am saying.  Please use good, healthy precautions when visiting with people, but let’s not lose sight of the need for the human touch – literally and figuratively.  Let’s stay safe, but let’s also stay connected.
         Think About It!

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