Playing by the Rules

Day 53: Stay at home. Wash your hands. Use hand sanitizer. Wear masks and observe six foot social distancing, out only for groceries and prescriptions. Work in the yard and take walks for escape. Work at home if possible. No gatherings, no dining out, no haircuts, no church but live-stream, no birthday parties or Easter dinner. No shopping. No dentist appointments. No library visits. No fitness center exercise. Group meetings only by Zoom.

Who could have imagined our lives would change so drastically? Only a few people have gathered on the Iowa Capitol steps to protest the state's closedown. Other states have had a uproar. I'm not the type of person to protest. I'm a rule follower. I try to be good. Maybe it is our agriculture background that makes us freer to accept things the way they are. Farmers plant the seeds and wait for them to sprout. Wait for rains to water the seed and make them grow. They accept the hail and wind and drought as they come. They live with prices so low they give away their produce, their hours of labor on technological equipment that is outrageous to repair.

States or parts of states have begun to open up with some complaint, some delight. Perhaps we will return to normal or to a new normal where we all continue to wash our hands for 20-seconds and use hand sanitizer whenever we see it.

"Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I an saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this...Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory," (2 Timothy 2:3-7, 10 NIV).

Isn't it amazing how God's Word, written so long ago, still is so relevant in our lives every day?

May the Lord keep you safe and well today.