Self Reflection Sundays: Just wear the mask!

I went into Food Lion this week and a woman was with her daughter walking in as I was coming out. Her daughter had on a mask but she did not. I paused and kind of looked at her with a confused look. When she got to the doorway, she realized she didn't have her mask on so she walked to the side of the building and reached in her purse to retrieve it. Another time, there was a young man I knew in front of me at the register. He didn't have a mask on at all. I gave him a second look and just kept my distance.

This is part of our "new normal". Don't forget your keys, wallet, cell phone, mask! When a mask is forgotten, or when it's not quite covering you the way it's supposed to, you might just get a funny look from others around you. We've been mandated to wear masks, we've been instructed on how to wear it. We've been informed on what types are the most effective. However, with all of this comes a variety of interpretation. 

What was said? "Wear a mask". What was heard?:

1) Wear a mask that meets regulations or 

2) Wear that same mask that you started wearing in March or 

3) Wear a mask but don't cover your nose or 

4) Wear any type of random covering you can find just to say you're covered or 

5) Don't wear a mask at all because it's hot or it's hard to breath or they're just infringing upon your rights. 

So many different takes on one set of expectations. Imagine what it's like trying to accomplish a goal of safety when so many people will go about it differently. If people understood the spirit behind the mandate - that it wasn't some random rule just to take away our comforts, but solely for protection and safety - maybe it would have been easier for everyone to buy into it and follow it.

I thought about how it's sort of the same with Christianity. Accepting Christ means I am accepting a "new normal". God has certain mandates. Period! He's not some mean daddy who just wants to make up random rules just to make us unhappy. He is looking out for our protection and safety. How do I know what He wants from me? I have to read His word, but I also need to be filled with His spirit in order to have the correct interpretation. I can't put my own spin on it when it gets uncomfortable. And deciding to disobey Him is putting myself and others in danger.

Today I pray that I would not be stubborn but that I would be obedient to God and stay under His covering no matter what.