We should be turning to God now, more than ever | Opinion

By the Rev. Glen Bayly

With the continuing challenges of the pandemic, everyone in the world should be taking a dose of humility. An invisible bacteria has caused the whole world to make major adjustments. If anything, this demonstrates that human beings are not in control, and this should be a time for recognizing our Creator.

The Bible has numerous warnings against the dangers of pride. “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” (Proverbs 13:10) “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (I Peter 5:5)

We should now more than ever realize that our doctors do not know everything. Dr. Robert Cantrell, a head and neck surgeon, who served at the University of Virginia Medical School would make a surprising statement to his medical students occasionally after one of his lectures. “Half of what I have just told you is not true. The only problem is, I don’t know which half.”

Many of today’s doctors seem certain of what they practice. Hopefully, they have learned some humility through the pandemic.

Dr. Robert McKinley of the University of Alabama Medical School would teach a Bible study to some of the medical students. The first thing he would tell them is, “There is a God and it is not you!” Our politicians and medical leaders should be advising that they also seek help from God at this time of crisis. Every previous president the United States has called for times of prayer and sometimes fasting when facing a crisis.

After we hear one expert after another and one politician after another share contradictory advice, we are either confused or disbelieving. Certainly, most involved in giving guidance through the pandemic about masks, distancing, vaccines, boosters, closing and opening businesses and schools, and a variety of other related subjects have been sincere in trying to help their fellow man. Humility would suggest that every statement and directive would be given with the admonitions that we are not certain about many of these things.

Some imply that science has all the answers. Science is also fallible and finite in its scope as are the individuals who promote it. One scientist, Dr. Gary Parker states, “Some people say you can’t read the Bible the way you read a science textbook. They’re right. I’ve written five science textbooks and they all have to be continually updated! The Bible’s truths never change.”

How to deal with human frailty and death itself are subjects that the Bible and the church offer to help us with. It is sad that the pandemic and other natural disasters have not significantly caused Americans to turn to God.

Rev. Glen Bayly is a retired pastor and radio host in Mifflinburg, Pa.

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