Many of us were anxious to see 2020 come to an end with a hopeful fresh 2021. However, as we soon discovered, just because the date on the calendar changed didn’t mean that the problems of 2020 went with it. We are in March and the struggles are still with us. What are the ramifications of the continued pandemic as well as political decisions in 2021?

While they are many, I want to address one of them here, and that is the number of people out of work. Businesses have failed in staggering numbers, people are losing jobs in the energy and service industries by8 the tens of thousands. You may be unaffected by the downturn or you might be one of those caught up in the thick of it.

For those who have had to burn through any savings, unemployment, and stimulus money just to survive– things may look bleak. But I wonder what the ramifications are for those of us who have not been directly financially affected?

There are numerous scriptures in the Bible that talk about the importance of taking care of the poor. I just want to mention one here, I John 3:17-18 Says, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

Part of our purpose in life is to love and take care of each other. Personally, I am convicted by John’s words and am compelled to find ways to more effectively and consistently help those in need. I hope that as you contemplate these words, you will be motivated along with me.