To and For our First Responders and Medical Workers

I heard someone in the news recently say that as he drove past a hospital, he saw a nurse getting out of her car and going into work – his comment was – that it was like watching someone going into battle – into the front lines.

One of our members who is a fire-fighter said that he and his co-workers were told that it wasn’t a matter of if but when they would be exposed to the coronavirus. We have nurses who are going in and treating, caring for and even comforting COVID 19 patients – to their own peril. Then, many of them don’t even come home to their families for fear of infecting them but stay somewhere else or even in their garages. 

These men and women are laying down everything for us. I want to say a word to our first responders and medical workers and then a word for the rest of us.

For all of those people who are on the front lines of this thing, who are out their everyday, at great risk to themselves for the sake of others, I want to share these familiar words from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” This passage comes to mind as I observe your courageous action during these times, and it makes me think of 2 points (it’s the preacher in me). 

First, you are in good company. You are being like Jesus, and, according to the Bible, there is no greater achievement that a human being can achieve, there is no more accurate way for a human being to be their “true selves” than to be like Jesus. As you go through what I am sure are some scary moments, as you take great risk for others please remember that Jesus has been there and knows what it is like. 

Second, Jesus is with you and for you, the Bible tells us that He can be your source of strength and joy even in the darkest moments. In the midst of your service, know that He is right there with you – in you, beside you, behind you, before you. "The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8

Finally, to the rest of us – make our first responders and medical workers a priority in your prayer life! Pray for them every day, all day. Our church has a number of first responders and medical workers you can be praying for – but pray for all the ones you know by name and all the ones you don’t know. Let them know you are praying for them. Find ways to encourage them and thank them. I am also thinking about other people who are out there keeping the world turning for us – like delivery drivers, grocery workers, garbage collectors, mail carriers, military personnel, and the list goes on. Please don’t see prayer as the least you can do – recognize that regular, persistent prayer is the most powerful way you can serve anybody.

We’ll see you tomorrow. 

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