It’s been a crazy year

This has been a crazy year, hasn’t it? We’ve been quarantined so long and so many different ways that we might not remember what month it is or whether this is a Friday or a Monday. Time has lost all meaning, as if the clocks and the calendars are distorted beyond all recognition. That’s crazy.

It’s crazy how so many people call themselves experts in dealing with this pandemic. (Don’t forget that none of us have lived through something like this, so we all lack the experience that helps to make us “experts.”) Some say you must wear a mask. Some say to take off your mask because it does no good. Some say wearing a mask is violating their human rights. Some say I won’t wear a mask and you can’t make me. That’s crazy.

Another crazy thing is the anger we, both as a nation and as individuals, have displayed toward each other. We argue about politics, religion, politics, quarantine, politics, race, and politics till we are making fools of ourselves. We call each other vile names and display uncontrollable hatred toward anyone who doesn’t believe exactly the same way we do. (Don’t forget that those politicians you so fervently defend or attack don’t know a thing about you. Not your name, your address, or your religious preference. You are so small to them you are not even a blip on their radar.) That’s crazy.

We hear so many spouting so many different views and opinions we become confused, not knowing who or what to believe. The media lie. The politicians lie. At times, even the TV meteorologists lie. So we become skeptics and stop believing anything anybody has to say. That’s crazy.

Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Where are we going next? How are we going to get there? Will this year ever end? Has God abandoned us in the midst of this pandemic? Is God responsible? Who is going to answer our questions truthfully? Does anyone really care about us at all? It’s all just crazy.

I am not going to even pretend I have the answers, because I don’t. I’m not an expert in contagious diseases. I’m not politically savvy. I am just as tired of wearing a mask as everybody else. I’ve been so overwhelmed by all of this that I have actually lost track of time. (Did you notice I didn’t have a column in last week’s paper? Duh! I simply forgot all about it. Sorry.)

I, too, have asked questions that have gotten no answers. But this I know: Luke 1:37 says, “For no word from God will ever fail.” Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Deuteronomy 31: 6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” John 13:34, 35 says, “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Exodus 33:14 says, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Who would have thought the Bible has answers for us on who to deal with all this unrest around us? Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active.” And that’s not crazy. It’s true!