Why Aren't You Listening?

A joint post between Marjorie and her daughter, Miranda

This week's events have reminded us of an old parable, "The Man by the River."  In this story, a man hears a warning over the radio about a coming flood but does nothing, insisting that God loves him and will save him.  Meanwhile, most of his neighbors clear out.  Then a rescuer comes along in a boat, offering to row the man to safety.  He insists, once again, that God will save him.  Finally, a helicopter hovering above is another avenue to safety.  When the man refuses help again, he drowns.  In heaven, he asks God, "Why didn't you save me?  I prayed, and I thought you loved me."  God responds, "I sent you a radio message, a rowboat, and a helicopter.  What were you waiting for?"

(This story is told brilliantly by Karl Malden on the television show The West Wing.  Link to the Youtube clip here.)

Many of our fellow citizens have spent their time this past week protesting stay-at-home orders around the country.  In Michigan, they sat in their cars, blocking access to a hospital.  Their reasons for protesting include a desire to visit a hair salon, purchase grass seed and lawn fertilizer (it's snowing in Michigan, folks!), and the theory that staying at home is allowing the virus to win.  Our top scientists insist that stay-at-home orders and the continuing closure of non-essential businesses and schools are the best strategies to manage this pandemic.

We believe that, as in the parable, God has sent us the best scientists and researchers, government warnings and press conferences (thank you, Governor Cuomo, etc.), and plenty of news.  God doesn't save us but asks us to save ourselves.