As the world grinds to a halt with an ever-increasing amount of people staying home from work, there is one group that not only continues to work but to put themselves directly in harm’s way: medical professionals. Doctors and nurses (as well as support staff) are on the frontlines of this pandemic, trying their best to provide medical care for everyone in need. While not all of them are treating COVID-19 patients, they are all closer to the virus than anyone would like to be.
Yet, they continue to go to work and do the best they can despite the difficult circumstances. (There are reports that about 10% of doctors and nurses in the hardest hit countries have become infected.) It is difficult to imagine working at a place that welcomes the very people that most everyone is trying to avoid.
This, in a sense, is also what Christians are called to do. While many of us are not trained to provide medical care, we are able to provide spiritual care to everyone who is in need – especially those that other people try to avoid. Paul reminds us, “Help each other with your troubles. When you do this, you are obeying the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Many people are worried, stressed, and afraid, so let us do all we can to tend to their troubled spirits by pointing them to the One who is the source of peace - and continue to pray for all of the medical professionals!