It’s a heated debate these days. No, I’m not referring to a debate regarding the 2020 election, nor a debate about what’s better–chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin cookies. (I’m a both kind of girl, by the way.) That’s a great debate! Seriously, though, I’m alluding to the debate of mask or no mask. About wearing face masks or coverings in public. Do we wear them or not?
Now, please, this post isn’t to continue the debate.
I’m not about that and this post isn’t either. I’ll leave that for the news or the social media posts or real-life drama between the two camps that are present regarding this issue.
Those who are for wearing masks are all for it. Health professionals will tell you to wear them.
Those who are against it are all against it. Other health professionals will tell you not to wear them.
We’ve seen anger arise between the two camps on the news, in social media posts, maybe even in our own neighborhoods, stores, or companies. So much so, sometimes violence, harsh words, and even bodily harm has resulted from the anger.
Not to mention the labeling and judgment. Does wearing a mask really indicate I’m a conservative? Or that I’m paranoid or afraid? If I don’t wear one, am I saying I’m a liberal? Or that I don’t care about me or you? Goodness, what does wearing a mask have to do with any of that? Or with any politics at all? Have we gotten to the point that we place judgments based on fabric that covers our faces?
It all just makes me sad.
It all makes my head ache and my heart hurt.
What ever happened to the “golden rule?” To treat others as we want to be treated? Does it not have any relevance in our lives anymore?
This is what our Scriptures come to teach: in everything, in every circumstance, do to others as you would have them do to you.
Matthew 7:12 VOICE
I believe it still matters and I believe it still makes a difference.
So, mask or no mask, I’ll still be nice to you.
Because that’s the way I want to be treated.
I’ll take into account you may have a different view of things than me, and I will be okay with that.
I promise to not judge you or label you or criticize you or condemn you, either way.
I’ll assume the best and not the worst.
And, I will believe you–like me–are just doing the best you can in the circumstances you find yourself in.
But, I can’t do any of this on my own. I can’t. I get cranky and grumpy and angry sometimes. I’ve been known to be judgmental and critical and not so nice at times. I can’t do any of this perfectly. But, with God’s help I’ll show you love, mask or no mask. And I commit to doing so.
My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!
1 John 4:11-12 MSG
Mask or no mask, I’ll still be your friend.
One more scripture. This one I’m clinging to often:
All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.
John 13:35 NCV
I pray my love shows I’m one of Jesus’ followers.
And, how does that song go? What the world needs now isn’t more hate and violence. It needs love.
Can we focus on helping each other and not tearing each other down? Can we encourage one another and forget about proving who is right or wrong? For a moment, can we leave the politics out and just stand on the fact we’re all in this together? And, can we bless instead of curse, love instead of hate, believe the best instead of the worst?
Friend, let’s show we are His followers by loving each other. Mask or no mask.
Blessings,
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Oh, if this could only come true!!