As this pandemic spreads further and further across the world, I think back to some of what I’ve compared it to.
To me, it seemed like the last couple of things to affect the world at such an extreme level were the 2 world wars. That was the last time you saw major sports seasons canceled. You saw entire industries all but disappear from the market. One of the biggest things being that this was something that was effecting almost the entire world. It wasn’t something that was causing just one country to suffer. Many were involved.
There are certainly things about this Coronavirus that are more extreme. For example, even the world wars didn’t affect such a broad scope of the world, and not in as quick a timeline. However, there are so many things about these wars that make this quarantine look like a joyride comparatively.
Tonight I watched a movie called The Pianist. About a Jewish Family in Poland and their struggle to stay together and stay alive. I won’t give spoilers, but to see the suffering endured by so many during this time is almost unbearable to watch. With a virus, it’s somehow disconnected. You don’t feel the evil quite as much. In these wars, there were people who were responsible for these cold-blooded killings.
Anyone who does not understand the extent of what happened in the Holocaust, I encourage you to do some research. It’s hard for me to even wrap my head around for two reasons: 1: The Jews. 2: The Nazi’s.
How do I mean? The complete far ends of the spectrum cause me to wonder how being either was possible. The suffering endured by Jews during this time is just unfathomable. When you are treated as less than animals. Whether you do the right thing or the wrong thing, you never know if you might be shot the next minute. The constant pressure to try and not tick anyone off, or bring any extra attention to yourself. To fear even being seen by another human being. It’s something that I struggle to comprehend. I can’t get a good grasp on what the feeling may be.
On the other hand, the enormous hate poured out by the Nazi’s is something that may be even harder for my mind to grasp. I don’t know how you could treat a living creature the way many of these Nazi’s treated the Jews, who were human beings. The disregard for human life. To not realize that every human is a being created in the image of God. To not feel pity for a person who is begging you to stop. How could a human become so heartless to do this?
It’s hard for me to write words to describe the feelings I have around this besides the words “I don’t understand.” Maybe the biggest thing that comes to mind besides that is that I hope I never do understand.
Every human is created by God, in His image, and for his glory. May we strive to see others in this way and have zeal to help others see each other this way.
We may be stuck inside during this hectic time in the world, but at least we don’t have to worry about being killed if we are seen by another human walking on the street.