In the
CDC website I read Ebola virus disease is the most dangerous disease so far
known to man. It clearly poses a danger to the public. How should we as
Christians respond? Since we are protected by God’s power even from poisonous
snakes (Acts 28:3-5; Mk16:17-18) should
we bother at all about the risks? We must
respond with caution. Even where it is not Ebola Christians must be safety
and security conscious. Paul the apostle was: When he was about
to sail for Syria, a plot was initiated against him by the Jews, so he decided
to go back through Macedonia Act 20:3(ISV). I know Jesus was careful too and security mindful. He was not afraid,
never lacked faith, and perfectly reflected the mind and purpose of God. Yet we
read in Jn 7:1(ISV): After this, Jesus
traveled about in Galilee, because he didn't want to travel in Judea, since the
Jews there were trying to kill him. It is also clearly written in Prov
22:3(ISV): The prudent person sees trouble ahead and
hides, but the naive continue on and suffer the consequences.
But in some public health institutions the fear of Ebola is putting at
risk Ebola free patients presenting with fever of any grade, or bleeding from
orifices from any cause so much so that patients are actually dying now of the
Ebola fear (paranoia) in some health workers! There must be a balance in our
approach. Malaria is still a far more common cause of fever in Nigerian children,
and it kills more Nigerian children daily than Ebola. Neglected high fever can
result in convulsions with disastrous consequences. With the background of
caution we must be courageous. We cannot allow what God has asked us to do to
be abandoned simply by fear. How shall we be so immersed in safety concerns
that we don’t care who could live that is dying? I read it somewhere that the
safest place for ships is the harbour but no ship was built to stay there.
Satan uses fear to enslave people all their lives (Heb2:15). Despite the threats Jesus went on to minster to Lazarus.
Then he said to his disciples, "Now we
will go back to Judea."
"Teacher," they said, "the people there want to stone you
to death! Why do you want to go back?" Jn 11:7, 8(CEV). Night will soon come when we can no longer work. Take courage. Have you listened to Paul? I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will
happen to me there, except that in town after town the Holy Spirit assures me
that imprisonment and suffering are waiting for me. But I don't place any value
on my life, if only I can finish my race and the ministry that I received from
the Lord Jesus of testifying to the gospel of God's grace Act 20:22-24(ISV).
Must Ebola victims be left to die; are they fit only for the cremation
stand? Have compassion on them. Pray
for their recovery, send texts and support. The husband of a nurse with
confirmed Ebola Virus Disease faithfully cared for her in government supervised
isolation, protecting himself with gloves and mask. He cleaned body fluids
through the duration of her illness. Both are today confirmed Ebola free.
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