Are you being shielded?

Several weeks ago a few of my neighbours received a letter that they had been dreading. It said you "need to be shielded from Covid-19 for a minimum of 12 weeks." Most of them had already been isolating, and in many ways life would continue much the same but, as is often the case, fear, anxiety and worry took over. 

Looking to the news for reassurance did little to help so I turned to Scripture, which overflows with words of comfort. After all said and done the expression "shielding" is no new concept to God because He's being doing it since time began. The Psalmist encourages us when he says: ‘The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.’ God will shield us in every situation. What a promise!

Two key factors post Covid - Health and Wealth

At this present time there are two important matters that are occupying the attention of the world's population due to the COVID 19 virus.  

The first is how it is affecting the health of people no matter where they live or their social status. The virus is showing no respect of persons. It is affecting royalty, heads of government and celebrities plus the man in the street. Thousands of families have felt the devastating effect of the virus, which has brought death to their loved ones. People who have observed a healthy diet and regularly exercised have not been immune from infection and some have died. 

The second matter is wealth.  

The Panacea for a Pandemic

In recent months scientists, medical experts and researchers have been working around the clock in search of a cure or vaccination for Covid-19. Huge amounts of money have been injected into the project and every attempt is being made to provide a solution to this global pandemic. Meanwhile many are dying and statistics are alarming. The virus has spread with amazing rapidity right across the world, just weeks after initial reports of its outbreak in Wuhan in China. No one has been spared: the rich, the poor, the famous and the unknown, religious and pagan; all classes have succumbed to its devastating effects. It has crossed all boundaries and no state, county, city, country or continent could halt its rapid advance.

A lot can change in a minute!

A lot can change in a minute. We all know the cliches about a week being a long time (in politics) and a lot can happen in a day but the truth is that life can change completely in less than a minute. 

For instance if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time something can happen that you never envisaged and suddenly everything changes. I’ll never forget when eleven year old Rhys Jones from my home city of Liverpool was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He lived in a respectable home in a decent area of the city. His mum worked in our local Tesco Store. He was just an ordinary boy enjoying life, loving his football and playing out, as boys do. But on that sad day he died in the crossfire between two rival gangs. For the Jones family the 22nd of August 2007 everything changed in a moment. His life was ended, his parents and family were devastated and his blood was on the hands of the young man who pulled the trigger and those who were involved in providing the weapon. 

I apologise if the recall of this tragic incident drags up painful memories for any who read this. I cannot express my sympathy enough for your loss and the lifelong grief that results from it. I’m not writing to try to explain why such horrible things happen - apart from the obvious fact that people are capable of doing evil things, as well as good, and that they will be held responsible for what they have done on the future day of judgment. I am writing to remind you of how life can change irrevocably in a moment. 

So, what are the lessons we need to learn and what difference can it make in our lives? There are many!

Enjoy the moment!

Value and cherish your relationships!

Don’t take people for granted!

Make the most of the time you have!

Things are not that important, people are!

Tell people you care and appreciate them while you can!

Try to live without regrets!

As much as depends on you live at peace with others!

Forgive and forget!