Related Article for Refelction from the Los Angeles Times
https://www.latimes.com/business/00000179-1a6b-d33b-ad7d-db7b8c440000-123
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”
James 3:17-18 NLT.”
My wife, Liza Cucco, used to run the Hackney Foodbank in East London. I served as a volunteer for over three years with her in supporting food drives, moving food, sorting food and volunteering on weekends when possible. The Christmas and Easter periods were peak times in the year when food drives, needs from those in crises and the supply of food was increased. However, during the current climate, the CoVid pandemic, the need for food is beyond any crises she or I witnessed. Its in the name. Its a pandemic.
The article I have selected from the Los Angeles Times draws us to a crises for us in real time where families, parents and guardians who are usually living pay check to pay check, myself included, find themselves in poverty, without work and having to give up their accommodation, resettle with parents and find ways around the ongoing issues.
The bottom line is if there is food on the table, shelter over their head and enough to eat for every one in the family then the process of getting from day to day has been achieved. Yet, the problem is this is not going to be manageable, its going to be month to month and the life we once knew is gone. The money we once earned has gone and the West will look very different according to every pessimistic news article you read. Lets look instead to scripture.
In James we read of heavenly wisdom and are called to be submissive to the Lord and peacemakers, whom if they sow in peace are righteousness will receive a crown of honor and glory. The disputes between timelines, death counts and fatalities continue to circle our news streams.
At this moment we need to pause, reflect and pray. At times we say we pray, but now more that ever the Church is called to pray. Lets pray, pray and pray. Volunteering, watching the news and standing up will come a position of prayer, not fear. Lets pray, not fear.
I have attached an image too. Hope this is helpful.
Blessings
Tim