“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” - Romans 14:1
Until recently, I had never heard of Kriner’s Diner. I couldn’t tell you where it’s located. And, even if I had known of it, I don’t think – even in a pre-COVID world – I would have ever stopped in for a bite to eat. I’m not a big diner fan I guess. Still, over the past week, I can’t help being interested in the stories of patrons lining up to support a restaurant owner who was making his last stand to save his business while also attempting to save the jobs of his few employees, but in doing so, was defying a City Order demanding the closure of his business. I’m not stating a view; I simply found it interesting.
As I write this, and review the day’s COVID statistics in Alaska, one has about an 0.5% chance of catching COVID in the State of Alaska. Looking only at Anchorage, it’s slightly higher, call it 0.7%. There are currently 30 people hospitalized for COVID in our State and a total of 191 have been hospitalized for COVID at some point since the pandemic began. And this week, a news article indicated that 40% of those who have contracted the virus exhibit no symptoms whatsoever. These are the facts as reported.
My head wonders whether we’re being overly aggressive in our attempt to corral the virus at the expense of those whose very livelihood depends on tourists and the rest of us getting out of our homes and spending our money within the economy. My head says we’re saving some lives at the expense of others. My head challenges me to find data that indicates an uncontrolled spread of the virus within the workforce at Walmart, Target, Carrs, Fred Meyer, or any other business that has remained open during the pandemic despite the ongoing contact with the public. We could add those working in the healthcare field to that list. My head says that there’s not much with which to be concerned. Hmmm.
My heart reminds me that my wife, as well as many known family, friends, congregants, and co-workers have immune deficiency or other health conditions that put them at greater risk should they fall ill from the virus. My heart reminds me of remote Native communities and other small towns ill-equipped to combat the virus when it hits. And my heart reminds me of those who have been touched deeply by the virus via the loss of family or the loss of friends. My heart says we should do all we can to protect life. Hmmm.
The voice in my head versus the voice in my heart. It’s a frequent conflict for me. Does anyone else ever find themselves in this struggle? Must we participate in the widening divide on this issue? Must we choose sides – protecting life or protecting livelihoods? And must we fight to protect that position as if in a war with our neighbors? As Christians, isn’t there an opportunity to lead the way in an effort to protect both?
There’s a loud voice in our midst indicating to us that we must sacrifice our internal need to socialize with others while sacrificing our economy in a quest to eradicate the virus. I sometimes wonder whether those loud voices come from those who are blessed with an opportunity to work-from-home, or otherwise have their income secured, and are thus relatively unfazed by the detrimental impact to the economy. There’s an equally loud voice in our midst reminding us about the right to choose and about infringed-upon freedoms. I sometimes wonder whether those loud voices come from those who are blessed by not being impacted by the virus’ sometimes devastating effects on themselves or loved ones. You’ve probably noticed, but there doesn’t seem to be much of a middle ground in this debate even though, if we’re honest, I’m sure we understand some small part of the other side’s position.
In the continuous editing cycle of my mental, yet-to-be-released, but sure to be a bestseller book titled, “The World According To Rick,” there’s a chapter on the opportunity to progress a different narrative. Speaking only for myself and my family, we have to be careful. Thus, I’m unlikely to be spending significant time in restaurants, as example, any time soon, regardless if reopening is allowed; it’s a risk for my family that we are unwilling to assume at present. But I don’t think I’m hurt, in any way, by those who want to get out of the house and enjoy life as they knew it; those who wish to participate in activities or support establishments as they might wish. Similarly, but on the other hand, I don’t think those who want to enjoy life as they knew it, are hurt, in any way, by wearing a mask within businesses that are critical to anyone’s livelihood, such as grocery stores or other businesses providing essential services, in an effort to protect others - including those who work there - who have no choice but to enter these establishments. Some can choose to minimize exposure. Others can choose differently. And in areas where those choices overlap, we can all choose to do the right thing while respecting and protecting one other. I like this balance. It satisfies my head. It satisfies my heart. We can demonstrate awareness of the needs and desires of others without compromising our own needs and desires. It’s a win-win.
Meeting in the middle, even if not always perfect, is a better way to define forward paths. I’ve grown weary of wide divides on nearly every issue that arises. We distrust our fellow people. It’s sad. As Christians, we have the voice to create a platform for good and positive communications. We can do so even when we don’t completely agree with each other. Perhaps we can start practicing by avoiding turning our Sunday morning, Menti-enabled Joys & Concerns platform into an opinion session about current issues. As outlined in another chapter of my mental book, if you wouldn’t say it standing up in church, you shouldn’t say it from behind an anonymous computer screen either. It will take practice, but we can do it! In the Romans scripture, Paul reminds us that there are better things to do than quarrel about differing opinions. Instead, let’s focus on win-win, meet-in-the-middle solutions. Let’s focus on demonstrating Christ’s love as we interact with each other. It may not always be perfect. That’s OK. We may continue to disagree, and that’s OK too. But if we try to support one another, though it will take effort, we’ll reach a brighter place. And what a better, more positive, environment that would be.
Heavenly Father, we want so badly to be right. We want so badly for others to know that we’re right. Help us to remember that your call to us is not to be right, but to be good; good to one another, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Help us to see the possibilities when we work together to that end. In Your Son’s name, Amen.
Rick Meidel, his wife Natalie and daughter Sarah have attended St. John UMC since 2018. Rick can be reached at meidy@me.com or 832-418-9200.
