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Slippery Hills: COVID-19
Hermon Scott
Pastor Hermon Scott

I am excited about success stories. When I was a little boy we lived on a dirt road. At the entrance to the road was a hill. When it rained the hill would become very slippery and cars would have a difficult time going up or down the hill. As I remember, my mother was considered a great driver and was almost always able to navigate the hill in spite of the condition of the road. Looking back, there are three things I think she did that made her successful in conquering the hill. First of all, she did not Panic even when the car started to slide a little. I remember her saying “I give it a little gas and hold the wheel.”Secondly, she did not Pander to the onlookers. She was too busy paying attention to the car and the road to worry about the onlookers. Thirdly, once she started up the hill she did not Pause until she was at the top. She knew that as long as she kept moving forward she would make it to the top.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created some muddy roads and slippery hills that we are having difficulty navigating. We are wondering about the long-term emotional effects of trying to be socially connected while maintaining physical distance. We are dealing with renewed calls for social justice as we come to grips with America’s promise of Liberty and Justice for all. We are concerned about our physical health as we watch loved ones become ill while politicians’ posture for political gain during an election year. We are struggling to appropriately respond to those in our space with or without face covering. We have found our collective selves actually wondering if we can keep our lives “in the middle of the road” as we navigate the “hills of 2020.”Subsequently, I offer the following suggestions.

 When facing your worse day, Do Not Panic. We are in a scary time and it is easy to faint because of fear. As David faced Goliath, he looked back and remembered what God had already done for him and found the courage to stand. Joshua Chapter 1 and verse 8 (“Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go) is a great reminder that there is no need to panic. 

 As we look to heal our wounds, do not Pander to the crowd. We are a great nation because we are a caring nation and together we can overcome any obstacle. First Corinthians 12 Verses 25 and 26 (“. . . so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. So, if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it”) is a constant to reminder to Christians to be considerate of each other.

As we navigate uncharted waters, Do Not Pause. We have some difficult days in front of us. There will be some more “spinning and slipping” as we move forward. However, Galatians 6:9 (Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up) is a great reminder of what my mother said “Give it a little gas and hold on to the wheel.”


Dr. Hermon Scott is the Senior Pastor of Baconton M.B.C. and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance. 

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