Needs or Wants?

This corona virus has presented a unique, horrible time in our lives.  As a mid-eighty year old I can honestly say, without hesitation, this health situation is the most devastating in a lifetime.  All ages are fearful. All ages are in confusion as our lives have been put on halt. Schedules obliterated, relationships technical rather than personal, too much time on our hands, and a feeling of helplessness overwhelms us. Senior citizens are in a risky position as many of us have underlying negative health issues. When we hear the death rate of those affected in nursing homes, it is scary.

Dick and I live in a senior facility for Assisted Living and Memory Care.  We realize we are more prone to corona virus.  However, we are blessed. No resident here has shown any symptoms. No resident is held in virus quarantine. No employee has become infected. The management of this facility has put in place numerous preventive measures. No visitors allowed. Employees have their temperature taken upon entering and leaving. Packages are delivered at the door, sprayed and sometimes put on hold for 24 hours. Mail and newspapers are put on hold for 24 hours. Staff wear masks (often hand-made from scraps of story telling material), gloves and disposable hygienic boots.  Housekeeping wipes down doorhandles, tables and commonly used surfaces with sanitized wipes. We have eliminated group gatherings. We stay 6 feet apart when eating and walking. So far, we are corona virus free.

One interesting decision that involved me I found humbling and somewhat humorous. Part of our regular programming involved Friday morning half hour Bible studies and Sunday afternoon worship services,  With the elimination of group gatherings and any visitors, we could not meet for Bible study or have various pastors come on Sundays to lead worship.  Management then made the decision to appoint me as Bible study leader and Sunday worship leader but accomplish everything on in-house TV.  So, much to my surprise, I am now on TV twice a week!

When you go through a situation like this with lock-downs, no visitors (not even family members) one naturally does some serious thinking. One important mind set is that our lives suddenly have become 'simple'.  We are alone. Here in this facility we don't have to worry about food, protection, heating, air conditioning, water, living assistance, etc. We are cared for and we are fed. So why do we complain? Because many times we are self-centered and don't appreciate what people do for us.

Another important thought. Am I concerned about 'needs' or 'wants'? Just a few weeks ago I had lots of things I thought I wanted running around my brain. For example, wouldn't it be nice to have fresh flowers in my room every week? Or, maybe a jar of special homemade chocolate sauce? Or, how about a new spring outfit? Yet, now, in the midst of a raging health problem bringing death to millions across the world, I ask myself, what is important? Wants or needs.  Needs are the elements for survival and fortunately we as senior citizens are blessed to have those needs met.  Sure, we think we need something, but when it comes down to it....we realize those are just 'wants' rather than 'needs'.

This corona virus is definitely making a mark on our lives.  When we think of the incredible wealth and prosperity we were living under just three or four months ago, we are shocked at where we find ourselves today. And we worry about tomorrow.  In response to all these shocks and changes, I am again reminded.  God is in control!  Is God giving us a wake-up call to return to Him in all honesty, respect, humility, praise and worship?  Have we ignored God?  Have we set Him aside and replaced Him with our selfish 'wants'?  Have we forgotten that He created us out of love?  Have we forgotten that God gave us His Son, Jesus, to die a hideous death on the cross to save us from our sinful natures?  Have we forgotten God loves each of us so much that He wants all of us to dwell in Heaven with Him?  Have we forgotten that God wants us to surrender our hearts to Jesus, and to believe in Him as our Redeemer?

Let us think about these spiritual questions and respond to our Triune God in the affirmative.  Let us make that 'need' for a Savior be a heart wrenching 'want'.  Amen.