August 31, 2020
Weekly Reflection – Fear of the Lord
Do you have a healthy fear of the Lord? Many of us are accustomed to an annual physical exam by our “primary care physician.” During this season of the global pandemic, it might be useful to seek a spiritual health check of our souls. This week’s Reflection highlights how much we fear the Covid-19 virus and compares this fear to our fear of the Lord. May you be blessed as you reflect on its content.
Stay tuned. Stay healthy. Stay close to God and one another!
Blessings and peace,
Chaplain Allen
chaplain@nationsu.edu
chaplainscorner.org
If only…A COVID-Like Spiritual Health Check
(Edited from an article by Rev Sng Chong Hui)
As one views the world-wide reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic it becomes easy to realize how much we fear the outbreak. It has changed the way we work, the way we conduct our meetings, and the way we socialize. It has brought out the best in us and the worst in us. The Covid-19 fear has led many into irrational behavior such as panic buying and extreme isolation. These may or may not be appropriate at this or that location, but for sure they show the extent to which we fear this virus. If we do a Covid-19 check, we might easily conclude that in practical terms we fear the virus more than we fear the Lord. Which leads to the following reflections on “If only…”
If only we feared God like we fear Covid-19, which we cannot see but know for sure is real and deadly.
If only we monitored our spiritual temperature regularly like the way we conscientiously monitor our physical temperature.
If only we washed our souls as much as we wash our hands and sanitize them whenever we touch something suspiciously unclean.
If only we masked ourselves to prevent the spread of sinful infection in our lives and the lives of others.
If only we avoided visiting and going to known places that contaminate our minds and our bodies.
If only we self-imposed isolation just to be in solitude with the Lord.
If only our travel history showed that we have been in the presence of God.
If only we read the Bible like we read the report of Covid-19 day after day.
If only we were as wary of rumors of false teachings and fake insights as we ae of fake news stories circulating about Covid-19 on the Internet.
If only we took time to fill up our treasure trove of spiritual knowledge, insights and revelation instead of storing up rice, instant noodles and toilet papers.
If only we feared the Lord like we fear the virus.
One writer has said, “We fear circumstances so much because we fear God so little.” Jesus made it clear: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
Let’s do a spiritual health check this week. May we learn to fear God more than we do Covid-19!
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Reverend Sng Chong Hui is a retired Methodist Pastor after serving 38 years in 10 churches. Read the complete article, https://odb-covid.org/covid-19-and-spiritual-health-check/
Read more Weekly Reflections: Chaplain’s Corner