A Season Of Hope and Reflection

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
The world is going through a pandemic the likes of which we have never seen before.  Many of us are searching for answers. In some areas of the globe there is a shortage of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), food, medical equipment, such as ventilators and basic grocery items, yet our Redeemer Lives. More than 500,000 individuals across the globe have been infected by the coronavirus or #COVID19; and more than 22,000 deaths have been recorded worldwide. Italy, with a population of 60 million people has recorded more deaths due to COVID19 than all of China with a population of 1.3 billion.  An Italian doctor treating patients at the center of the worst coronavirus outbreak in Europe has issued a stark warning to other countries yet hit by the full force of the pandemic: lock down.  “We know what happens," Dr. Emanuela Catenacci told told British broadcaster Sky News as she took a break from treating patients in an intensive care ward in the Cremona Hospital in Lombardy. "Don’t think it is happening here and it can’t happen everywhere else … because it will." Italian Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte described as the worst crisis faced by the country since the end of World War II. The coronavirus pandemic has driven home rather forcefully how connected the world is. The coronavirus began in Wuhan, China in December and in less than three months the entire world is submerged in fear. What happens in one part of the world clearly has an impact on all of us. We live in an interdependent, mutually connected global village.  This global village is one in which the policies and actions of one sovereign State can and will impact others. Many countries have now locked their borders. Those citizens who are out will have to remain out. Millions have lost their jobs and many more will do so in the coming months, especially in service-related industries. Educational institutions have switched to online platforms as virtual instruction and learning have replaced face to face instruction.
Atmosphere of Fear and Uncertainty

There is an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear. There is also a consistent diet of false information circulating.   The world is at a crossroads!  Many are seeking a sense of hope, a calming spirit in a troubled world. We are reminded in Romans 12:12 that God is our hope. “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.”  We cannot allow fear to paralyze and cripple our collective spirit of humanity. Gospel singer Tasha Cobbs, says it so pointedly in her hit song, Break Every Chain, There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain
To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain

Social Distancing

The current pandemic we are all experiencing will reveal the best and worst of humanity. There are those of us who have turned into our selfish nature while thankfully most of us have resorted to be kind one to another. The coronavirus has ushered in an age of #socialdistancing as governments try as best as possible to contain the spread of COVID19. Social distancing is used to protect the public health by separating communities so that people who are stricken by a contagious illness or virus cannot pass it on to others who are not. It includes, for example, having children stay out of school when they are ill; closing workplaces; postponing meetings; and avoiding large social or religious gatherings or sporting events. It is designed to stop the spread of epidemics or pandemics but is not as strict a limitation on social interaction as quarantine. Social distancing relies on the obedience of the population.  Dr. Arefa Cassoobhoy states that limiting your social interactions to what’s truly essential means reducing the opportunities the virus has to jump from person to person. Around 20% of coronavirus cases will require hospitalization, per The New York Times. Social distancing helps slow the transmission of the virus, meaning those who will need hospitalization don’t overwhelm our already fragile health-care system by flooding in all at once. If you’ve seen that “flatten the curve” chart going around the last couple days, that’s the basic principle; social distancing can lower the burden on hospitals, so that medical professionals can deal with fewer cases at once. “You're going to slow the spread of an infection and have more time to prepare to fight the infection,”  We are social beings and as such social distancing does not come natural for most of us, unless your personality trait places you as an introvert. There are instances however whereby the State might impose a State of Emergency in which one’s right to free movement is suspended. This mandatory curtailment of movement might become necessary in order to get a control of the coronavirus. There is clearly a need for us to seek Divine intervention during this time of crisis. We have seen hospitals being overwhelmed by the number of patients. In fact one doctor in Italy describes the situation a tsunami of patients.  William McDowell, “Withholding Nothing”, comes to mind as we seek the face of #JehovahRapha to heal our land and lands of our neighbours both near and far.

I surrender all to you.
Everything I give to you.
Withholding nothing.
Withholding nothing.
I surrender all to you.
Everything I give to you.
Withholding nothing.
Withholding nothing.

In such a time as this each country requires a decisive and compassionate leadership. Many people are suffering and the fallout from #COVID19 will be felt for quite some time. According to Goldman Sachs over 2 million people have applied for unemployment insurance in the United States of America in just one week.  

Atmosphere of Hope

We need hope in such a time like this. In Jeremiah 17:7 it says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” - Hebrews 10:23 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”-  Jeremiah 29:11 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?  My hope is in you.”- Psalm 39:7 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”- Psalm 46:1, “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”- Psalm 62:5, “Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.”- Psalm 130: 7
When we speak of hope it is important that we realize that this hope also transcends this troubled world. The following lyrics speaks to this optimism.   

“To be surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in Your presence
To my knees will I fall
Will I sing Hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all.
I can only imagine, yeah, I can only imagine.” - Tamela Mann

Symptoms of COVID19

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Anosmia- the loss of sense of smell
• Ageusia- diminished sense of taste

Emergency warning signs include

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

Sovereign God,
Dispel our fears, calm our troubled spirits, speak to us Lord as we lay prostrate before your throne in repentance.  We besiege you Jehovah Rapha to heal our land. Show us mercy Lord although we are not worthy. Sovereign God you are Alpha and Omega. We ask of these mercies in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

In the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, “my humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”

Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com

@WayneCamo

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#JehovahRapha #socialdistancing #COVID19 #WHO #Jamaica #prayer #fasting #hope #reflection