Luke 6:28-29 – Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. (NIV 2011)

In the late winter of 2020, a new virus appeared on the scene, shutting down businesses, public buildings, churches, and schools. We are in the grips of this pandemic whether we like it or not.

With all the hype over the virus, people went into panic mode. There were fights over packages of toilet paper. People were pushed away by some who wanted goods on a store shelf. They then emptied the entire shelf into their cart.

I am reminded of some dialogue from a movie, Road House, starring Patrick Swayze, who plays Dalton, a supervisor of bouncers in a very rough club that he, the Cooler, was hired to clean up. In one scene, Dalton gives instructions to his bouncers:

If somebody gets in your face and calls you a [name], I want you to be nice. Ask him to walk. Be nice. If he won't walk, walk him. But be nice. If you can't walk him, one of the others will help you, and you'll both be nice.

There is a lot of truth in that scenario. If someone grabs those packages of toilet paper, volunteer to help him load them in his car. Be nice. If someone needs goods on a shelf so badly that they push you out of the way, be nice. Help them put the groceries in their cart. As Christians, remember who we represent. Be nice!

The Scripture reads that if someone takes your coat, offer him your shirt — give him the shirt off your back! Or if someone robbed you and took your wallet, you would remind him that he forgot your watch. Being human, that would be hard to do. But remember, Jesus gave everything He had, to pay the ultimate price for you and me. So in these situations, ask yourself, what would Jesus do?

Remember that God takes care of the lilies of the field and He will take care of you. Put your trust in the One who never fails.

Prayer: Father, give us the strength and the courage to let Jesus shine through us. May people see Him and not us with all our human frailties. Amen.

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About the author:

Ken Bakewell <kids_karate@yahoo.com>
Russell, Pennsylvania, USA
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