I think I have the beginnings of a Country & Western song — Faithless or Reckless!
It came to me while wrestling with our dilemma about suspending public worship and gatherings during the pandemic. Such a predicament.
We want to be faithful in gathering for worship, a very core of our Christian faith practices.
But we also cannot be reckless in practices which may spread a virus that can kill.
We want to be faithful and practice trust that God provides and protects.
But as we teach our children to not practice reckless driving which may bring them over a hill,
or worse yet, cause an accident in which others suffer too.
We want to be faithful in believing that Christ heals.
But we also know that invisible germs recklessly wreak havoc on a vulnerable human body for ill.
Someone told me that every Country & Western song needs a pick-up truck and an ole dog. Well, I don’t have a pick-up truck, but I am fast becoming an ole dog myself. No one would ever be reckless and put their faithful ole dog in harm’s way. I would hope that we would extend the same care for an ole dog like me, or you, or anyone else.
I will go with being recklessly faithful in my care for the vulnerable among us and keep the social distances necessary, practice basic handwashing, and not share my coughs and sneezes.
At the same time, I will practice connecting with people in intentional and thoughtful ways, especially anyone who might feel isolated and alone. Most of all, I will faithfully connect with God — from whom I never want to be distant — and who lavishes extravagant and reckless love and grace upon His children.
Now that is a song worth singing!
In Christ’s Love and Care,
North District Superintendent
Rev. Daniel R. Morley
