“Things have changed!” may be the most overused tagline in journalism, media, and daily conversations. While I obviously appreciate the sentiment, I also want to retort, “While circumstances may have changed, people’s needs have not. We still need God, and we still need fellowship with one another.”
By now, most know that we will have some mask expectations indoors at the ICHE conference. We have already had a couple of speakers cancel and a few people said they won’t attend. I understand. Since the outbreak of Covid just over a year ago. I have worn a mask, less than two hours … total. Over half of that time was when we met with our dear friends at Olivet University a couple of weeks ago over this very issue. Like many of you, I feel the science is not there. Like many of you, I believe much of this has been politicized. Also, like some of you, I have lost classmates to Covid, so I would not do them the injustice of blowing this off as nothing but a “conspiracy.” How then shall we live?
We each must be true to what we think God would have us do. I would, however, give a gentle qualifier. Frustration is one thing; true conviction is something else. I have seen some real theological gymnastics employed on both sides of this issue, given respective biases. While I too have frustration over mandates, protocols, and recommendations, I also try to think of the higher and greater good. For instance, I will not punish a storeowner who feels pressure from governing authorities—real or perceived—to require masks by boycotting him or making a spectacle of myself while shopping there. Why? He doesn’t want this situation any more than I do. Why penalize him when he is doing the best he knows to do?
I will not accuse churches who take a more conservative approach than I of “lacking faith” or “compromising”, or “caving into civil authorities ‘who have no biblical jurisdiction over the church.’” Every respective ministry with every respective difference has some biblical framework from which they decide protocol. Sadly, I have watched churches consume themselves over masks and social distancing. They do not realize they are doing more damage than Covid ever could, due to their lack of love and arrogant pride.
What does this have to do with the ICHE conference? While I am obviously not a fan of masks, social distancing, and the present governmental protocol, I am committed to encouraging the brethren during a time when many are struggling. This means that I will set aside my own prerogative for the greater good on the first weekend of June. I don’t think one weekend of wearing a mask indoors will cause me any physical damage—although I will probably be outside more than normal! I believe that I can, according to Philippians 2, set aside what I want to do in order to defer to the good of others. Does this make sense?
For any who are truly convicted about masks I want you to stand behind your convictions. Just make sure that you are not punishing your local church, other believers, or even ICHE because of your frustration with the state or federal government. What is truly gained by that? Instead, commit it to prayer, serve God, and remember what stance your public officials took on this issue when the next election cycle occurs and vote respectively. Sometimes some of the greatest blessings follow some of the greatest curses.
I hope to see you at the ICHE Family Conference for the health of homeschooling, homeschoolers, and ICHE.
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