Spread Hope, Not COVID

This past weekend, I attended a BOLD retreat at Bambi Lake Baptist Conference Center. I had high expectations, as I had seen and heard about previous BOLD retreats. I was sorely disappointed. 

Friday. We checked in at the lodge and did our COVID screening and filled out the contact tracing documents. Got assigned to our room and put our stuff inside. We arrived early, so we had some time to mingle. Yay!!

Some people were wearing masks, but we wouldn't be, because they're not required on camp. Of course, we had to hear comments about that. Whatever...

The theme for the weekend was Hope. Songs with lyrics about "My hope is in You, Lord", "Christ the Solid Rock", "In Christ alone" teach us that we need to put our hope in Jesus, our trust in God. Testimonies from people who have gotten through tough times show us that God is always in control and will get us through the trials.

After dinner we had a worship meeting. During this meeting, one of the women spoke, talking about how we have a responsibility to wear masks, sanitize everything, and maintain distance from each other. I got up and walked out.

Regardless of your stance on wearing masks, social distancing, and sanitizing, I'd like you to understand where I'm coming from. It is a matter of personal responsibility. If you prefer to wear a mask, you can wear a mask. You cannot tell me that I have to wear a mask. I do not like to stand close to people, and touching creeps me out. Hand sanitizer is bad for you. All these "precautions" actually make you more susceptible to infection, because your body isn't being exposed to this virus and other things to keep your immune system working. 

Skip ahead to Monday.  I'm at home watching TV and I see a commercial talking about the vaccine and all the ways to protect yourself from covid that says "Spread hope, not Covid" at the end. I wanted to scream. I had a realization. The women at the retreat weren't spreading COVID, but they also weren't spreading the hope we find in Christ. They were spreading "protection based on fear" which is what this society wants to call hope.

I have always loved attending events at Bambi Lake. I have always looked to these women as examples of God-centered and Faith-based life. I no longer can have that respect for them.

When a mask and hand sanitizer are your idols, you put your trust in a vaccine, and your faith in the government, how DARE you sing "In Christ Alone, my hope is found"!