Persistent - Monday Musing, August 2, 2021

Dear Church,

Persistent. There are many things that can be defined as “continuing to exist or endure over a prolonged period.” Given the recent reports of breakthrough infections of the coronavirus in Barnstable county, we can add COVID-19 to the list. These days it feels like the movie Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray who plays Phil Connors, a self-absorbed TV weatherman caught in a time loop. When will this long COVID nightmare end?

Just when we thought we were safe by being vaccinated, a highly contagious delta variant surges, upending our belief that COVID-19 is in the rear-view mirror. This pesky virus is persistent, and it appears that we aren’t out of the woods yet. I know it is discouraging; some days it feels as if we are taking one step forward and two steps back. Yes, we are back to wearing masks and socially distancing from one another.

Our faith teaches us that in the face of hardship, we should: “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh 1:9). And this: “Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you… It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deut 31:6,8).

Because our area shows an increased transmission rate of the virus and the potential of spreading the infection to the vulnerable – whether we are vaccinated or not – we must (once again) mask whenever we are indoors for the safety and protection of others. A minor inconvenience and a nuisance for sure. We have done it before. We can do it again.

Persistence is the ability to continue getting up no matter how many times we have been knocked down. It requires willpower, flexibility, strength of character, determination, and a desire to succeed at all costs. Persistence is about having a vision and working toward that goal. We can do this. We can fight this good fight, we can finish this race, and we can persistently keep the faith. See you in church!

Faithfully,

Darren