The pandemic has taken away a lot of things in this past year. For some, it’s even taken away loved ones —terrible, tragic, and sad. For most, it’s taken away our normal way of life — that’s for sure. Everyone is reeling from the effects of it in one way or another. Jobs are lost. Businesses are hurting and even closed. In many states, schools are closed. Churches, restaurants and stores have limited capacity if they are open at all.
We don’t know what to believe about the virus — is it as bad as they say it is, or is it worse than reported? If I get it, will I die, or will it just be like a cold? Or will I have no symptoms at all? There’s fear — there’s uncertainty — there’s many unanswered questions and much confusion.
Should I be getting the vaccine? Or is the vaccine dangerous? Will I eventually be required to have a vaccine to travel? Should I isolate myself? Should I go out to a restaurant? Should I fly in an airplane?
Do masks work? Or are masks just a worthless exercise enforced by the government? We all have opinions on all these topics, but I’d like to focus on the mask for a bit. I’m not sure if the masks are effective, but here’s what I know about the mask. Every time I go into a business I’m required to wear one. And what I observed is this — wearing a mask has made everyone so impersonal!
Everyone is scared of everyone else. Nobody wants to get close to another person. Everybody is paranoid!!!!! Everyone you see is suspect, and assumed to be a covid carrier. Everyone looks at you as if you have the virus and is scared to get within 6 feet of you. I’ve been in stores where people actually try to avoid being near me. The pandemic has taken away our ability to be cordial to one another — to be warm and friendly. Let me ask you…..is this the way to live?
Here’s the worst thing about the mask — it has taken away our smiles. You can’t tell if someone is smiling at you, and someone else can’t tell if you are smiling at them. Do you know how important a smile is?
We use smiles to be polite, to communicate friendliness. Smiles are even a sign of compassion and caring. I found a internet site called Logos Communications and the article said this about smiling: “When we smile, we signal our friendliness, openness to engaging, and interest in people. Smiling reduces stress hormone levels, and increases mood-enhancing endorphins. A 2010 study by Wayne State University even showed that smiling might help you live longer! Smiles are one of the few non-verbal communications that translates between cultures.” You may not speak another person’s language, but they understand a smile.
Just think if humans were created without the ability to smile. What a cold world it would be. Can you imagine? Thank God for giving us the ability to smile. Otherwise, everyone would be walking around with a stern, grumpy expression as their constant appearance!!! That’s not the type of world I’d like to live in. But guess what?? — that’s what the mask does! It takes away the smile.
So what do we do about it? Here’s a couple of suggestions. Even when you are wearing a mask, when you are out and about, try to at least smile with your eyes. Or try practicing greeting someone by at least nodding your head. How about doing something cordial for someone — say opening a door for them when you are going into a store or restaurant. We need to start showing some friendliness and compassion.
Do you think God smiles? I do. Maybe we are created with the ability to smile because, as the Bible says, we are made in the image of God. And when God smiles on us, it’s a special blessing. How would you feel if you knew God was looking down at you with a smile? Maybe that’s something you should picture in your mind when you think of God. What would that communicate to you? What would that convey? I’m thinking that it would convey His loving relationship with you — His grace and unconditional love that He has for you.
There’s a popular Christian song out now called “The Blessing” and it’s based on the Bible verse, Numbers 6:24-26. The lyrics of the song say, “The Lord bless you and keep you. Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.” The actual scripture, Numbers 6:24-26, says this, and I like the New Living Translation version:
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.—Numbers 6:24-26.
I urge you to take this scripture and highlight it in your Bible. Be reminded of it often. This scripture is a prayer for you. This scripture is my prayer for you. What a great prayer!! What a comforting prayer. It’s a prayer that is asking the Lord to give you all that is good for you. This simple prayer is asking for the Lord to bless you — for the Lord to protect you — for the Lord to smile on you — for the Lord to be gracious to you — for the Lord to show you His favor — and for the Lord to give you His peace — and who doesn’t long for that? Here’s a great idea… use this prayer as you pray for other people you know.
You can be sure that Jesus smiled a lot when He was on earth. He must have used smiles many times - some simply compassionate expressions, and some simply laughter. I’m sure Jesus had a great smile and that He used it often. The Bible doesn’t record those things about Jesus, but you can be sure they happened.
One thing about a smile — when you smile at people, they automatically smile back. Smiles are reciprocal. Smiles are a simple way to just connect with others, even if it’s just a passing, friendly, cordial glance. And personal connection seems to have been lacking lately.
Even in this pandemic, we need to reach out to people, be kind to people, and connect with people. Do your best to smile when you can. Here’s a truthful statement — we cannot make it on our own. We need others in our lives and we need God in our lives. I don’t know how people can make it through this pandemic - through life’s trials - or through this life period — without the Lord in their life. He is our only true source of hope, peace, and joy.
One more thing regarding smiling— as Christians, we have something to smile about. And that is our relationship with the Lord who is the giver of life, of grace, of peace, and of joy. Nothing can take away that joy, not even a pandemic. Our joy is internal - it’s in our hearts - we have Christ with us and in us. I love Proverbs 15:13. It says, “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face”. A smile means a lot and can say a lot.
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace. Numbers 6:24-26
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