As I’m writing this, my family is preparing a virtual memorial service for my father-in-law who recently passed away during this coronavirus pandemic. We have waited awhile to see if we can have a proper memorial service at my local church but to no avail due to the coronavirus mandate still in effect in California. Of course, this funeral service will never be televised, nor hotly debated over by any political pundits, and will largely go unnoticed by the rest of the public…
Yesterday, I watched George Floyd’s funeral service with all the media coverage, with crowds of hundreds, even thousands gathered, in what appeared to be a church. As I watched the convoy of people who came to pay their respects, I couldn’t help but wonder why so many other American citizens who have lost their loved ones during the pandemic (including my own family) are told that they don’t have the rights to do the same. I find this incredibly appalling! It seems to defy any reasonable logic as thousands of other law abiding citizens are still subject to the ongoing mandate which also disallows them from holding services in churches or elsewhere, due to the the supposed risk of spreading the coronavirus, especially in large gatherings, or in an indoor environment in close proximity.
It appears that we are living under a system wherein the overton window can suddenly shift on a dime where things once disallowed/unacceptable can instantly become allowed/acceptable and even forcefully encouraged, as long as the ideology is justified or serves a political expediency. The fear-mongering, dreadful virus is now swallowed up by the new hysteria.
Moreover, while I can fully affirm all the outrage, the mourning, and the outpouring of sympathies being demonstrated surrounding Floyd’s death (the likes of which I’ve never witnessed in my life); I’m much more bewildered by all the various responses that are taking place which ensued after the horrific incident.
I think, emotions and sympathies not rightly placed, can pollute our judgement and can lead to some dangerous conclusions, i.e. riots and looting, etc., but even more pernicious if the outcome appears morally right and socially encouraged.
I had a hard time falling asleep last night thinking about the coronavirus and George Floyd’s death. There are just too many things that don’t add up. It feels as though the entire nation is coerced into paying retributions for the racially motivated sins we’ve committed whether one is guilty or not.
As for the coronavirus, I think I’ve done enough arguing as to all the power grabbing policies, the recommendations of the health experts, illegitimacy or justifications of various draconian/arbitrary/irrational lockdowns, the injustice that was leveled against the citizens by destroying small businesses and the broader economy, and all the vitriol that came along with challenging the prevailing narrative, etc, etc, etc. Frankly, I will readily admit that much time has been wasted where I could have used it elsewhere more productively; My apologies to my dear friends on social media and elsewhere who laboriously bore through all my recent rants.
And now with George Floyd’s death, it appears that the entire narrative that sustained the pandemic has been upended, while it has escalated even further the polarization of the political landscape and added even more fuel to the suspicions of those who already suspect a more sinister, hidden agenda. Call me an alarmist, but these two main events continue to unfold in a manner that is quite ominous!
Also, while I certainly support all the religious groups who are taking advantage of the occasion to do good for the community, I find myself questioning more and more the prevailing ideology and methodologies that are driving these activities. Consequently, I’m finding it difficult to contain the overwhelming uneasy feeling as to how easily the public can be swayed by a compelling narrative, reinforced by the media, and even more firmly encouraged by peer groups.
Furthermore, I just find it so disconcerting that any intelligent inquiry in challenging either the “government health guidelines” or the “anti-racism” narrative is now regarded as almost blasphemous by its proponents, analogous to how a parishioner would be branded a heretic for challenging the orthodoxy of the church’s dogma.
While the world is captivated by the death of a man unjustly killed, the death of another Man-an innocent Man who actually bore our sins, who suffered a much greater, heinous death, is largely ignored.
I’m reminded to, “Be still and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10.
“Not by the decisions of courts or councils or legislative assemblies, not by the patronage of worldly great men, is the kingdom of Christ established, but by the implanting of Christ’s nature in humanity through the work of the Holy Spirit. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12, 13Here is the only power that can work the uplifting of mankind. And the human agency for the accomplishment of this work is the teaching and practicing of the word of God.” {Ellen White, The Desire of Ages p. 509.4}
The prophecies are fast fulfilling. Jesus is coming soon!
