As the number of COVID-19 victims continues to rise, Americans are facing increasing limitations on their activities. This past week, for instance, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak made the tough yet responsible choice to follow governors in other states in closing golf courses and restricting religious gatherings.
Most Nevadans, and most Americans, understand that such orders are essential to slowing the spread of the deadly disease, and they’re complying. They know the short-term restrictions are needed to save lives.
Some, however, are pushing back. Claiming their personal freedoms are being abridged, they are speaking out and in some cases urging others to join them in defying the restrictions.
But in doing so, they’re misinterpreting the meaning of freedom in our society. It doesn’t mean doing whatever you want. It comes with responsibilities and expectations for behavior that contributes to a greater good.
When you drive a car, you submit to rules that control your behavior for a period of time for a greater good (protecting other drivers and pedestrians).
When you enter the military, you submit to rules that control your behavior for a period of time for a greater good (national security).
When you are in law enforcement, you submit to rules that control your behavior for a period of time for a greater good (public safety and justice).
When you are in medical professions you submit to rules that control your behavior for a period of time for a greater good (reliable health care).
This applies to many, many other areas.
Laws regarding illegal use of weapons abridge your freedom for a greater societal good. Laws against murdering people who annoy you abridge your freedom for a greater societal good. Laws against stealing others’ possessions abridge your freedom for a greater societal good.
Laws against murdering people who annoy you abridge your freedom for a greater societal good.
And on and on and on.
Now come those who contend they’re “losing their freedom” to play golf or gather en masse for church services. These misguided individuals are forgetting that what we’re all trying to do is make sure people don’t die unnecessarily at this time.
The restrictions won’t last forever, and the purpose for them is to save the lives of our fellow citizens. It’s being done in the noble tradition of this nation to stick together in times of crisis and, yes, to sacrifice to some degree.
In World War II, Americans’ freedoms to purchase a wide array of items was restricted — gasoline was rationed to power tanks and airplanes, food was rationed so soldiers overseas wouldn’t go hungry, even nylons were rationed to make parachutes and cords. But the patriotic citizens of our nation made do, understanding that those limitations were critical to protecting our freedoms.
Now, as we fight a different kind of war, the people who are resisting stay-at-home measures are ducking the patriotic call for all of us to pitch in for each other.
It’s something to think about on this very special weekend. Sacrificing for others is a very Christian thing to do too – what better statement of faith on Easter?