‘Stay at home, stay with God’

Anglican Bishop the Right Reverend Michael Maxwell today sought to encourage Barbadians to listen to authorities and stay at home to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

But the cleric has also made a call for the people to use their time at home to reconnect with their families, and especially to focus on their relationship with God.

In a video message, the head of the Anglican Church said though the nation faces a difficult period in its history, Barbadians must be mindful that they do not become overly anxious about the moment, but rather maintain a strong faith in the divine creator God that “he will bring us through it all, giving us a spirit of power to withstand these tough economic times and to overcome the coronavirus”.

He said: “As we are called now to observe a national 24-hour curfew to stay at home and to stay safe it is my firm belief and conviction that God offers us this time to rest for a while and to reflect deeply on our lives, to reconnect with him, our families and others and to discover the essentials of this life.”

He urged Barbadians to allow God to give them the spirit of love to reach out and care for each other, especially the most vulnerable, as good stewards should.

He also called on them to allow God to give them a sound and sober mind to exercise self-discipline and to deny themselves of the business of usual outdoor activities for the sake of preserving lives.

Bishop Maxwell said: “It is a time to be still and know that he is God. Let us therefore keep the faith, let us be empowered to face this moment in time. Let us grow in love of him and of each other and discipline ourselves to the greater cause of preserving lives as we become conscious my friends at this time of the frailty, the value and the sanctity of human life.

“So may the Lord bless us and keep us. May he make his face shine upon us and be gracious onto us, may he grant us his peace now and forever more, Amen.”

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb