Thank You COVID-19 (2)Renown writer and publisher, Mark Twain said: “ It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” This expression caused me to think of COVID-19, not because of its microscopic physical size, but because of the magnitude of its deadly attack on the human race worldwide. This “dog” with its cruel claws and brutal bite has to date fatally stripped to pieces over half a million innocent lives within many countries and has not yet been arrested, charged, and put away for its criminal behaviour.
Two weeks ago, I said “thank you” to COVID-19 not for its savage inhumane attacks on humanity, but for the social and mental positives like the strengthening of family ties and the emerging of fresh business opportunities. Today I have another message for COVID-19. I want to let it know that beyond the social and mental push back it has experienced so far, there are several others of which it needs to be aware. Emotional COVID-19, by forcing people out of their workplaces and into close corners hoping to send them crazy, you thought you would have succeeded, but you were wrong. Although some may have succumbed to your persistent pressure, many others refused to develop anger, bitterness, depression, and other negative emotions because of their loss. I know of individuals who refused to have you maul them, but with dogged determination, and hopeful eyes toward the future, as dim as situations looked then, they robustly fought back against your attacks on their peace and security and scored big time. Thank you, COVID-19. Physical COVID-19, did you noticed that multitudes of people are now washing their hands more frequently, sanitizing their personal spaces and generally keeping their surroundings cleaner? I am sure you took more than a cursory glance at the schools and work places that have cultivated a healthier physical environment in which to function? We know you thrive in a dirty environment but you met a resilient set of people who are now practicing cleanliness. It is all because of you. To your disappointment and frustration a growing inner drive seemed to have been created during the times of lockdown that pushed scores of individuals to cultivate their back- yard kitchen gardens to eat healthier meals. Furthermore, I am observing what appears to be an awakening of both young and mature alike to get involved in physical exercise which has implications for a fitter society. COVID-19, you continue to lose your bark against people’s forceful counter-attack on your failed attempt to frustrate their health, but “thank you”. Spiritual COVID-19, by now, I am sure you must have learned a vital lesson that it is impossible to close the church and prevent people from worshipping their God. The Founder of the church, Jesus Christ, established that fact over 2000 years ago. He said, “I will build my church and the gates (the strategic operation) of Satanic powers, cannot prevail (win) against it.” So COVID-19, you were not very smart. The church is not a physical structure, but a living, dynamic organism, led by the resurrected Christ. You convinced some physical church enthusiasts that occupying physical space must continue to be the order of the day. A more significant number, however, has gone beyond the four walls in their thinking and visualized boundless opportunities to reach multitudes with the gospel through technology. So your loud bark at the real church was not scary enough to run it away from its mission and mandate. Thank you, COVID-19. Barbados’ push back COVID-19, you underestimated the fighting spirit within the Barbadian people at all levels. You looked at this small, densely populated country and saw it as easy prey. You were wrong. Barbados has a history of fighting back against threats from anything that looks unbeatable, and with common sense, courage, coherence, cooperation, discipline, and prayer, intensely bites away at the vital organs of such attacking forces to conquer. I recently read that Barbados now rates within the top 15 recovering countries worldwide. COVID-19, thank you. Remember, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” |
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