We are looking for reasons to move on from this pandemic. Can't you feel it? Our social media feeds have shifted from data, graphs, and scientific recommendations to straw polls and conspiracy theories.
These straw polls are asking questions like, "Do you personally know anyone who has the virus?" The conspiracy theorists are asking if the numbers have been artificially inflated. They're feeding our natural desire to focus on ourselves and the well-being of our close circle. They are urging us to ignore the fringe cases.
"Yes, some people are high-risk, but it's just the elderly, just people with pre-existing conditions, and the numbers are lower than you think. In the meantime, what about the needs of the majority? What about our personal freedom and our financial stability?" You've seen these straw polls. They urge you to answer questions that will shift your perspective back to yourself. 1. How many people do you personally know who have tested positive for the Corona virus?
2. How have you been inconvenienced or harmed by the safety precautions?
Go ahead, answer the questions in the comments on social media, but do me a favor and add a few questions to the list in your response.
3. How many sheep were at risk when the Good Shepherd left the flock behind for them?
4. How did the shepherd leaving the 99 sheep inconvenience them, harm them, or put their overall security at risk?
5. How long should the 99 sheep be expected to risk their own safety for the sake of the one?
6. What does it mean right now to love our neighbors as ourselves?
I know we're itching for this to be over. Historically, most pandemics end socially when people decide to stop caring about the fringe minority who remain at risk. But, when is the last time you intentionally sacrificed your own well-being to care for "the least of these?" I'm urging you today to have a heart like Jesus. Focus on the people you will be asked to look away from. They are scared. They feel ignored. They will be stuck at home long after your life returns to normal. Keep caring what happens to them. Be willing to lay down your best interest to help protect them. This is our opportunity to love like Jesus loves, to use his math instead of our own. He values the one.
Amy Noel Green is a Ted Speaker, author, and video game designer. She received international press attention for her work on the video game "That Dragon, Cancer." The video game tells the story of her son Joel who died from cancer at the age of five.
She is the author of the upcoming book, "Dear God, How Could You?" (When Joel died of cancer after years of miracles, Amy questioned God. She shouted her betrayed, angry questions at the God she no longer understood. She buried many miracles with Joel. She buried her relationship with God too, but God’s love for her refused to stay in the grave.) Subscribe for updates on the bottom of her about page, to be notified when her book is published.