COMPASSION NOT INTIMIDATION

Scripture of interest

The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, the wicked does not understand such concern (Proverbs 29:7).

My commentary

We need compassion, not intimidation

This has been quite an experience. We have seen and maybe experienced personally what it is like to live through a so-called pandemic. I for one, would prefer that pandemics be outlawed because it brings out the worst in humanity. Decisions made by leaders have created a dynamic which is scary for the most part.

When this virus first began to emerge from China it was seen as a virus with a potential of doing a lot of harm. Some of the countries experienced  deadly impact where many of their citizens lost their lives, especially countries like Spain and Italy, and cities like New York. The early indications of the pandemic predicted a catastrophic amount of people would die. However, that wasn’t the case. Obviously it was overblown, created a panic and decisions were made which have turned actions of some to that of a police state.

Many measures put in place were to slow down the virus from spreading as rapidly as it was. I can accept that. Lock down’s, social distancing, staying at home, parks closed, and groups of 10 could get together, and then that was reduced. Churches were closed, restaurants closed, except those that could provide drive through service and many other services were closed. All sounds like a good practice for the interim, but just a moment please. There definitely is a problem.

It becomes a problem when people are ordered by government policies to enforce these measures and when they are not followed closely it becomes a crime where people would pay a fine and/or go to jail. Something that has never made sense to me is that at the same time inmates have been released from our institutions, who are guilty of crimes. Now, you have some businesses or even churches who implemented some of the very practices that some stores put into place but found themselves faced with police scrutiny and/or threats. Some incidents that I am aware of indicate how that the police state practices have been playing out. Recently a friend of mind had his home visited by police after he had a number of children come over to play in the yard with his children. He himself called the parents of these children to get their consent but it didn’t matter because the government has created a situation which is nonsensical. A pastor from the Mustard Seed in Calgary was manhandled by the police after he provided food for the homeless and was then fined $800.00.

Panic has created a situation whereby noncompliance is deemed as disobedience to the government. I thank God that there is a level of opening in our province to businesses and many other services, and for this I commend our Premier. However, we need compassion rather than stupidity. Again, I have no problem with certain measures put into place but my goodness we need some care and compassion shown instead of using police force in making sure that people do not get out of line. A man went to a Tim Horton’s drive through, picked up his order and proceeded to finish it in his car. A police officer issued him a ticket for nearly $300.00 for “loitering” in the parking lot. I would hope police officers have more serious crimes to tend to than a man finishing his coffee in a parking lot.

With tears in his eyes, the Premier of another province recently spoke of elderly patients in the hospitals, being isolated from family, dying alone with not a son, daughter or loved one to hold their hands as they took their last breath. That is so completely cold and heartless. Could family members not be given a gown, mask and gloves and be permitted to visit those loved ones and be with them in those final moments? It’s been done many times before when patients were in isolation. Why not now?

Scripture says in 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear involves (creates) torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” I agree that the police need to enforce the law at times but now we need to restore hope, love and care, especially for those who are ill, seniors and also for each other. Come on, we don’t need government imposing its will on the people and telling us that we are not smart enough to know any better.

Q and A

Question: How can we be involved in government?

Answer: I believe as Christians we have an obligation to present ourselves as ambassadors of Christ. Too many of us get involved in silly arguments that do not resolve anything. We end up calling our Prime Minister or Premier names and using language that is not appropriate. It is true that we get upset and angry at the government because of some of the actions and bills they pass. So, if you are unhappy with what the government is doing then may I suggest you not get involved in Facebook debates and foolish arguments but get involved in actual beneficial resolve. “What does that mean?” you ask.

Intentionally, learn what the government is up to. Learn what bills are being considered, whether provincial, federal or municipal, and the impact it will have in all aspects of life. If you are unhappy with what is being proposed write a letter or send an email to your MLA, MP or minister in charge voicing your opinion not in a negative sense but suggesting they reconsider their position. Indicate that you are praying for them and that you realize that the job they’re doing is a difficult one, but then indicate what you feel about the bill being proposed and share your options. Sometimes petitions are good because it makes the government see that we are serious about what they are about to pass and the affect it will have. Never underestimate your voice. Let’s be pro-active.

Testimony and tribute

This is a testimony and tribute to a man who was an inspiration to so many people throughout his life. Ravi Zacharias, a popular evangelical defender of the Christian faith passed away Tuesday, May 19th, 2020 at his home in Atlanta, Georgia at the age of 74.

Ravi Zacharias, an Indian-born preacher wrote many popular books and lectured widely at colleges and made an intellectual case for the Christian faith. Ravi Zacharias was born March 26th, 1946 in Chennai and grew up in New Delhi, India. His mother was a teacher. His father worked in the Indian Civil Service. They had Hindu ancestors and celebrated Hindu festivals, but on Christmas and Easter they attended an Anglican Church.

In interviews, he considered himself ‘a skeptic’ of the faith in his youth and attempted suicide at 17 by swallowing poison after being seized by feeling academic failure in a family with expectations of academic excellence. He said that while in the hospital a hospital worker gave him a Bible, and afterwards he would ask his mother to read him passages about Jesus’ words to Thomas: “Because I live, you will live also.” “I read the very strident claim of Christ: ‘I am the way, the truth and the life,'” he told the Journal Constitution. His interest was in the apostle Thomas because it was him who went to India and was martyred there. He sensed an immediate connection to the Bible and committed himself to Christ as a young man.

His family in 1966 immigrated to Canada and Ravi Zacharias spent a few years as a banquet manager for a hotel then he went to Ontario Bible College where he graduated in 1972 and received a master of divinity degree in 1976 from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill.

Ravi Zacharias impacted many people throughout his many years in ministry. His strong defense of the Christian faith led him to making a case for Christ by using intellectual arguments for evangelical belief rather than direct appeals to faith.

His fan base included people like Michael Wear, who worked in faith-outreach for President Barack Obama, he mentored Nikki Haley’s son, he was close to baseball and football star  Tim Tebow, and before his death, President Trump’s press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, lauded him for reinforcing her faith.

He was a true disciple of the Christian faith.