THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER
As I write this, Covid cases in Indonesia, particularly in Jakarta, are on the rise. I just heard a friend in ministry is currently in critical condition due to Covid-related illnesses. We know the reason for its dramatic surge: unavailability of vaccines. A few friends I talked to in Indonesia told me that they were anxiously waiting for their turns to be vaccinated. They want to be vaccinated but they’ve to line up.
When it comes to vaccination, the disparity between the US and other countries is really staggering. For instance, in Africa only less than one percent have received vaccination, whereas in California more than 48 percent have been vaccinated. When I read that, I could not help but feel guilty. They have so little, we have so much; they have no protection; we have layers of protection. They have no choices; we have plenty of choices. Hence, we ought to share.
As I am reading the Book of Acts, once again I am reminded that the first sign that the disciples of Christ were filled with the Spirit was the supernatural ability to speak in other languages. The second sign was their love for one another—so strong that they willingly shared what they had with one another. We, too, ought to share.
On Friday we lay Tante Lydia to rest next to her beloved daughter Lisa, whom we knew and loved. Tante Lydia—also Lisa—loved to share. Her children told me that not only did she treat her helpers with respect, but she also shared what she had with them. From her I learned something about sharing: We will only share what we have with others if we treat them as our equal. So long as we look at others as different from us—or worse yet, as inferior to us—we will never share what we have with them. The truth is we are fellow human beings—we are neighbors—and neighbors share.
Pastor Paul