The No-Bug Hug

Today, hugs are hard to come by. But that's okay. I have a plan. It could become a movement actually. However, it would require rebelling against society and governments and all the naysayers across the globe. Who's with me?

Here's the deal. We all have close friends and relatives. We all miss them. And we trust them to tell us the truth, right? Well, the next time you see them ask them these three questions.

1. Do you have "the bug?"
2. Have you recently been with someone who has "the bug?"

And if the answers to both those first two questions is no, ask them this third question.

3. Want a hug?

I am willing to bet that if we make it to question #3, we will ALL receive hugs and we will for sure feel a whole lot better about all this covid craziness going around.

BUT most of our governors want us locked up in our homes, afraid to go out. Shouldn't we obey them? They're the government after all.

"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves. " - Romans 13:1-2

Well, that's pretty clear. Or is it? What if the "authorities" overstep their legal authority? Do we still obey them? Even if what they are doing is contrary to the written law and/or God's will?

God commands us to "love one another". What does that love look like when someone could really use a hug? Do we say, "Not today," and just walk away?

"Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?" - Matthew 7:9

I've had two friends commit suicide in my life. I've lost others to cancer, drunk drivers, drug overdoses. My threshold for disobedience is low when it comes to showing love and compassion for others.

I hang my hat, and this story, on one verse from Jesus. When He was speaking with His disciples about loving God and loving others, He said this about those commands - the Greatest Command. It's pivotal.

"All the law and the prophets hang on God's command" to love. If that is true, and it is, then love supersedes law. Love is the BASIS for law. See Matthew 22:40

We have to be smart. We have to use our heads. But we also have to be compassionate and loving. If someone we know and love is in trouble, mentally or emotionally, will we "give them a stone?" No.

We will give them a hug.