With COVID-19 consuming our thoughts and lives, we need to ask ourselves, “How do I respond to this pandemic?” As Americans, we do not like anyone telling us what to do. Our country was built on a fierce independence which is still alive today. The first question I had when the governor shut down all schools was, “We are a private school. Can he shut us down?” Romans 13 tells us that we are to obey our government and follow the laws. This means that we should isolate ourselves and avoid groups of more than ten.

In every pandemic and plague since Christ came, Christians have served those struck by the disease or illness even at the cost of their own lives. So how do we balance self-quarantine with serving others? We are blessed to live in times when we can reach out to each other through technology, so we can socialize with each other and learn about the needs of others. We should seek out those in need and those who are suffering and help them. We have friends who were running low on toilet paper and could not go out to get more, so my wife gave them some of ours. The lady who cuts our hair has been shut down and has no income. My wife had an appointment with her next week, so we are going to send her the money for the haircut—she has two children to feed, and that is her sole income. 

This is a time of crisis when we, as Christians, can minister to those in need and those who are hurting. We are called to step out in faith and to serve the widows, orphans, and poor. This is the time they need us most. Let us show our faith through our works.