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Response to Ebola Reactions

I am very disappointed in people for the response I'm seeing to the Ebola situation as I scroll through social media feeds.

I do not claim to be an expert on infectious diseases or want to get too political, but I do want to share some thoughts.

Those who are ill need our prayers - not our snarky comments, memes, or jokes. We often post things on social media that we wouldn't dare say to someone's face, and comments about the Ebola situation are proving this more than ever. Would you say your sarcastic remark about a hazmat suit if you were speaking with a member of the victim's family? Social media somehow causes us all to feel a sense of liberty in speaking, making us exponentially less guarded. This can lead us to share things that are too personal, inappropriate, or in this case, downright cruel.

What if YOU were a family member of a victim? Would that alter your thoughts and the tone of any posts you'd be making about Ebola? Honestly try to imagine for a moment that your aunt is a missionary in Liberia and that she's contracted Ebola from her work caring for others. Would you not want her to have access to the best care possible, regardless of the consequences? Then imagine how you would you feel if you saw what I'm seeing currently in my newsfeed - flippant remarks, jokes, and downright ugly comments.

Lastly, since we say we are Jesus followers who seek to be like Him, let's look at how He handled being in close proximity to grave illness. Matthew 8:3 says that "Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy." Um, THAT will preach.

 I am NOT saying we should seek out Ebola patients so that we can touch them and prove a point. Obviously common sense and precaution should be exercised here. However, I do think we are supposed to model Jesus in all things - His mercy toward others and care for the "least of these" is not optional.

 Let's try to have the same voice on social media that we would have to people's faces, follow the Golden Rule, and seek to model the compassion and heartbeat of our savior.

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