From some of the faith leaders I have heard lately, it seems like there are only two kinds of people, two kinds of options. Either you are staying home and honoring the faith by protecting your family, or going to large church gatherings and showing how little love you have for those most susceptible to the Corona virus. Or, you are forsaking the faith by staying home in fear, and those that gather as believers are demonstrating real faith by overcoming their fears.This back and forth seems to continue without any end.
We have chosen to move our services online for the most part. What motivated us? Fear or faith? Care or concern?
May I offer you another option: Prudence.
Prudence is the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason (Merriam-Webster). It means that we use caution and circumspection as to danger or risk. We do so, because we learned it in the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 1:4 (NASB)
4 To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion,
The reason the book of Proverbs was given to Israel, and to us as believers in the One True God, was so that we might not fall into the temptation of being naive, or simple-minded about life. So often inexperience and naivety leads us to consider complex life issues from either one- or another option. We hear it constantly. Its either 'fear' or 'faith'. Its "either the government, or the church!"
We are meant to govern our lives with the wisdom of the Lord. Prudence is the ability to see what is happening, adapt, and make good decisions.
Proverbs 8:5 (NASB)
5 “O naive ones, understand prudence; And, O fools, understand wisdom.
We often hear the call for division. We hear calls for either them or us. We hear calls for "for' or 'against'. But now is the time that our media-ears are growing weaker and our hearts towards the Word of the Lord is growing hot. We hear the call for wisdom.
Proverbs 27:12 (NASB)
12 A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, The naive proceed and pay the penalty.
Lets be diligent in being prudent in this season we are in. Let's open our hearts to the leading of His Spirit in the Scriptures. Our leading of His church is by persuasion alone, not by being forceful. We will not lead you by playing on your fears or guilt.
Make the best decisions for your families. We will be there to support you.
Choose Prudence, Not paranoia!