We’re going to drown!

Matthew 8:23-26. NIV

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

If you are on Facebook or read any newspaper or watch cable news, you will know that this verse or some variation of it is used by church folk who think it is perfectly safe for churches to meet in person, with few if any safety precautions in place.  Their preachers tell them that their faith will keep them safe from the coronavirus if they come to church, and if they do not show up it is because they do not believe.

*sigh*. When I was in seminary one of my classmates came to campus one day very upset.  His pastor had been fired the day before.  The reason?  She had been diagnosed with lupus, and the board of the church determined that she lacked faith, because if she was truly faithful God would have kept her from getting such a serious disease.

NOT! 

Faith has very little to do with disease - catching one or even dying of one.  Faith can have a lot to do with the healing process, mind you. Prayer and a positive outlook are proven to help people recover from things surgeries and cancer treatments and a multitude of other ills.  But faith does not keep you from catching a contagious disease or developing an autoimmune disease or cancer or any of those things.  Faith is not a barrier that keeps bad things from happening.  

Faith is about how you live with whatever life throws at you, good or bad.  Faith is knowing that no matter what happens, even if I die, everything will be ok because God is with me.  Just as the disciples were going to be ok because Jesus was with them.

I have faith that God gave me the good sense to take care of myself and others.  I believe that God gave scientists and doctors the gifts and talents to find ways to combat illness like the coronavirus.  And because I believe that, I will follow their guidelines - even when they change - as that will give me the best chance to stay well so that I may take care of others.

God, giver of gifts, thank you for the various and sundry gifts and talents you have given your children so that we might care for one another. Thank you for the good sense to follow direction from those you have tasked with keeping us well.  Amen.