Be A Good Shepherd

On Sunday night 15^th march 2020, as part of the precautionary measures to contain the spread of the Corona Virus COVID-19, after Ghana has recorded some confirmed cases of the disease, H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made a televised national address announcing some measures including ban on social gatherings. This means some programmes like funerals, weddings and church activities have been suspended for some time.

Many are of different opinions, whilst others are praising the government for such prudent measures others are of the view that it was not proactive, as it ought to be. Some are also complaining about why the government should ban church activities when there is the need for intensive prayers. In fact during this crucial moment where everyone is seeking for divine intervention, why such a ban? It is also likened to a diversionary tactics of the devil for Christians not to pray and trust in God but rely on their own.

There is a report that police arrested a pastor for defying the presidential orders and was having church service with his congregation in Kumasi. Although some were saying the presidential order as at the time of the arrest has no legal backing, I will leave that to the legal brains.

My questions are; is it biblically correct to listen to our leaders? Must we converge in church as people before we can pray or worship God? Does God listen to prayers only when we gather in church?

In Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for....” So as leaders of the church, do you expect your congregants to respect and obey your teachings when you are doing the contrary to the lawful orders of the state leaders? Again, Mathew 6:6 teaches us that God is everywhere and can hear us even in the secrets of our rooms. Coming together to pray as Christians is good but individual prayers are also answered, Daniel prayed alone and God answered him.

In the Presidential directives, it never stated that we should not pray or worship God, NO it only asked that coming together is suspended for sometime due to the way the virus is transmitted.

I believe in prayers and I have faith in the powers of God but do not forget that, faith without work is dead. Some of the works in these crucial moments are the measures that are being put in place by the health authorities and state institutions, which we must comply as believers in Christ.

Dear Man of God, you are the shepherd of the church, be the good one and do not mislead it. God has given us wisdom to apply. We have been told about how the virus spreads and what can be done to prevent it. Prevention is better than cure, let us put all our religious and traditional beliefs aside and do the needful by following the safety precautions to stay safe. We should not put our God to test.

I understand that God is still in the miracle business, but do not brainwash your congregants not to adhere to the safety measures of regular hand washing with soap, the regular use of hand sanitizers, keeping of social distance, avoidance of handshakes and many others all in the name of religion. An elderly man once said, the fact that God has given you long life does not mean you can cross the road without any precaution.

In this era of COVD-19 pandemic, we can exhibit our unwavering faith as Christians by not circulating false information, adhering to the precautionary measures, educating and encouraging others to do same. Extend a helping hand to the less privileged and the needy in these hard times. Be the light by not hoarding stuffs like hand sanitizers and selling them at exorbitant prices. Do not take advantage of the situation to cheat on others, this will show how faithful you are to your maker. God bless you for keeping your faith in him and stay safe. This too shall pass.

By: Jonas Owusu Ohemeng

Development Communicator

Inspirational speaker

Security Analyst.

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