The year 2020 stands as a test of our resolve…and it isn’t even half over. Between my sister’s cancer, the Covid 19 pandemic, the economic downturn, and now riots in our cities, I can’t help but ask, ‘what’s next this year?’ How am I to respond personally as the world falls apart around me?
In the midst of all this craziness, one of my beehives decided to swarm. If you’re not familiar with this term, think of hundreds of bees and their queen leaving to find another home. As I watched from a window in my house, what looked like a cyclone of flying insects circled upward over my garage then headed out toward the corn field.
This was my ‘what’s next’ this year. A part of me wanted to say, “I can’t do this now. No more stress today, Lord.” But instead, the beekeeper in me kicked in. I ran out to the backyard to see where the bees might land. Fortunately they decided to stop in one of our spruce trees rather than continue their flight into the field. This gave me the opportunity to gather them back up and bring them home.
The mass of bees surrounding their queen coalesced on a lower branch of the spruce tree. My husband and I carefully cut the branch holding the bees and put the whole thing in a box. After making sure we had the queen, we closed up the box until we could transport them to a new hive. It’s been four days since this process and so far they’re staying put. Whew! Not how I wanted to spend my Sunday afternoon.
But isn’t this the way life rolls? Just when you think you’ve had your limit of trouble, something else comes your way. Your ‘what’s next’ is different than mine but they’re all stressful. How do you cope when it’s too much?
First, make an assessment of what you can and cannot do about your challenging situations. Many of the stressors in our world right now are out of our control. We can’t personally stop the Covid 19 virus or the riots. No matter how much we’ve tried, my sister’s cancer continues to weaken her. It all seems so overwhelming.
However, when we take a closer look, there are tangible ways to help. Continue reasonable social distancing, wear masks and wash our hands. Acknowledge racial disparities and the need for justice for all. Seek to understand the anger from past inequities while working for peaceful solutions in your own community. Support the everyday needs of those in your circle of influence.
While these next steps may not seem like much, they all have one thing in common. In one way or another, each action shows care for our neighbors. Jesus was very clear how we should treat others in his parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Love your neighbor as yourself and by the way, everyone is our neighbor. Everyone.
True justice and mercy don’t write people off just because they look different, talk different or act different than us. When our differences are huge, sometimes we need to simply admit that we don’t understand…but we’re trying.
In the Old Testament, the prophet Micah touches on the same topic. The Message translation states bluntly what the Lord requires of us.
But He’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously-take God seriously.
Micah 6:8
So, when another ‘what’s next’ comes your way this year, don’t panic. Measure your actions by the yardstick of scripture and the words of Jesus. Ask yourself, what’s the best way to show love, justice and mercy to my neighbor in this situation…even if it involves re-homing a swarm of bees!
