If you know anything about leprosy, you know it is highly contagious.  I understand that in Bible times if you got near a leper they would have to yell out, “Unclean! Unclean!”  And you would definitely stay away from that person.  

 It’s beginning to feel like that with just about every one I encounter.  And it feels like they’re thinking the same about me.  One of us may be infected with the coronavirus–and we might not even know it! 

It gets worse.  There are plans underway for things to return to some semblance of normal–if you can call it that.  These include everyone wearing masks.  Apple and Google are cooperating together to build an app that monitors people with the virus.  There is talk of planes and drones doing surveillance.  I’ve read of people of maybe having to wear badges identifying them as having been exposed or being immune.  And on and on.  Seems we are entering a day worse that described in the book 1984.  Everyone will be divided, suspicious of one another.  

While I understand the threat–I think I do, I’m trying to, it just doesn’t seem right. Especially for Christians.  I mean, Jesus ministered directly to lepers.  He didn’t flinch or shrink back.  Too, we’re supposed to be believing we are protected from these things (Psalm 91).  Not that we should be flaunting the law or placing others in jeopardy, but come on now, not everyone is a leper! Not everyone has the virus! In fact, very few people do–a fraction of a percentage point (.29%) of the total Michigan population.  Yet we are all treating each other as if we all had the plague!  

In lieu of acting this way, while taking precautions for sure, let’s view everyone we meet with a gracious, welcoming attitude.  They don’t have the virus–chances are, they don’t! You can be 99.7% sure they don’t. So let’s get on with life, loving one another as we should.  Not everyone is a leper.