14 My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? 15 Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. 16 What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!”? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? 17 In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.
26 As the lifeless body is dead, so faith without actions is dead.
James 2:14-17, 26
We continue in this place, some may say are stuck in this place. There have been challenges to say the least, but I would also say there have been some really great things that have happened while we are here in the middle of a pandemic. There are people out there using their God given gifts of creativity, humor, compassion, strength to do the work of God. Every day, I read stories in the paper or on the internet of people putting their faith into action. Here are some of my favorites:
Three ER doctors realized it was not safe to return home when their shifts were over to their young families, so they together rented an apartment. It became obvious that this place would not work out; so one of the doctor’s parents offered their house, and the parents went to live with their daughter in law and help her with their 2 young grandchildren.
There are so many people who have sewn masks for healthcare workers, nursing homes and for people who need one. They have set up little factories in their garages and enlisted others to help with the assembly of them.
There are neighbors and family members doing the grocery shopping for those who need to stay inside. In Santa Barbara 4 high school students created a website called Zoomers to Boomers where the elderly could sign up to have groceries delivered to their home the next day by a high school student.
Here in our own CUMC community people have repeatedly stepped up and delivered food to our food closet when supplies become low and they have made phone calls to check in on each other.
Teachers have had to switch their whole classroom over to online teaching. They have spent many hours learning what is the best way to reach their students and help them to continue with school. They have made personal calls to those that haven’t “come” to school. They have answered endless questions from parents and students. One teacher was emailed by his 6thgrader who was struggling with the math assignment. The teacher happened to live close to the student, so he set his easel up on the student’s porch and taught her through the glass door.
What started in Italy has now made its way to New York City and beyond. At a specific time everyone gathers on their balconies and yells and bang pots and pans to encourage and support the healthcare workers for all they have done to care for the very sick.
In this time, there are people all over encouraging each other, connecting with each other, caring for each other, sharing God’s love. They are bringing light into these difficult and trying times. They are bringing joy into the world. They are putting their faith into action. Thanks be to God!
Gracious and loving God, Thank you for all of the many people who are doing your work. Help us to keep our eyes open to all the good that is happening around so that we may be reminded that you are here with us. Amen
Marty