Take off the Mask
By Dean Honeycutt
Mitchell County
I hope and trust when children go back to school that they do not have to wear masks. Someone might ask “how could you be so uncaring”? That is the very reason they should not wear a mask because it is hard on children. I will never forget this past October during pastor appreciation month the church recorded a video for me of different people thanking me for being a pastor. A young girl was asked, “What would you like to say to the preacher”? She said with a big smile “Thank you, preacher, for not making us wear a mask”.
Many adults have a difficult time wearing masks. Can you imagine how hard it is for a child? I understand why some doctors and nurses wear a mask. I can understand in certain conditions and circumstances a mask may be necessary. But for a child going to school 5 days a week for 7 hours a day trying to learn and wanting to play with other kids and interact socially wearing a mask is ridiculous.
We had a doctor’s appointment in Asheville and the office required masks. So, we put on our masks like always when asked to do so. Once we were seated in the room the doctor comes in takes off his mask and says, “I am not wearing this thing.” His actions were suggesting the mask is useless. So, we took ours off as well.
Children need to be exposed to a certain number of viruses to strengthen their immune systems. God has created our bodies to fight off viruses and recover from sickness. We are not created to walk around with a mask on. If I am wrong when I get to heaven the Lord will deal with me and I fear Him. But what I am hearing from the Bible and the Spirit is to trust the Lord. Be wise, but for heaven’s sake please do not live in fear. God has not given us a spirit of fear neither is God the author of confusion.
I received a letter from the White House that said they were offering the “American Rescue Plan.” Like it is the Governments’ responsibility to rescue me and my family. This is so deceiving because they cannot rescue anyone. They cannot guarantee a “life rescue” for you or your family. Only Jesus Christ can rescue me. Only Jesus can provide eternal life for me. He died on the Cross so I could trust Him and live forever. Now that is a guarantee and a rescue plan that I can believe and have confidence in.
The Bible says, “God has a plan for us,” which includes everything that happens to us because we are in God’s hand. And being in God’s hand is the safest place I can be.
Children are being misled in our country; they are being deceived to trust in the wrong things. Look how dependent most people have become on the government for food, clothing, housing. The Bible says if you do not work you do not eat. In other words, if a person can work and provide for themselves then they need to work. Children need to see adults working and trusting in the Lord. When the children of Israel were in the desert they had to depend on God. All Christians need to depend on God.
Children are told the mask protects them. Really? My son wore a mask and he still got sick. How can you stop something you cannot see? I would not intentionally expose myself to a virus but I will not stop living and trusting the Lord. God is in control of me and my family. If I thought for a minute that I could keep my family from getting sick by wearing a mask all the time, then we would be doing it. However, I cannot control sickness any more than I can control the weather.
Children need to interact with one another, they need to play and laugh. You ever wonder why the Bible says, “the love of many will wax cold”? It is because of the sin of complacency and lack of concern. When people cover their faces then they will begin to cover their eyes to the needs that are around them. They will become dependent on welfare, or they will become self-centered and self-protecting. Jesus said those who seek to save their life will lose it, but those who lose their life for the sake of the Gospel will save them. So, our children need to see us following Jesus and trusting in Him. This will help them be brave and strong in following the Lord during difficult times of their life.
As a parent, I need to set an example of faithfulness for my children. I have asked myself would Jesus tell me to distance myself from others, would he tell me not to go to church?
If I were sending my Child to school and I could either send them with a mask or a Bible, I would send them with the Bible. Because God’s word in my child’s life is far more valuable than anything in this world. Pam and I are praying for you. We are praying for our teachers and principals. And we are praying for children. God loves you and your family.
In His Care
Pastor Dean
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Pastor Dean Honeycutt shepherds Snow Hill Baptist Church in Bakersville, NC. He may be reached at 828-385-0213, snowhillbaptist@gmail.com, or visit their website at www.snowhillbaptist.com.
You can read more good Christian news from Dean HERE.
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