​From Our Family Pastor, Dennis Johns: First Baptist Church of Texas City

​From Our Family Pastor, Dennis Johns:
This week we hear news of the “mask” mandate being lifted in Texas. While I am not a fan of masks, I have tried to be
faithful in doing the “right thing” and wear as instructed. This
is quite an interesting subject because of so many unknowns
about this virus that has inundated our society; science mixed
with opinions further mixed with more opinions, mixed with
politics, mixed with…you get the drift. All the while, most of us
really want to stay considerate, healthy, and productive amidst
all of the confusing “news.”
Just this week Kelly and I were entering into a favorite
restaurant -- there are many favorites so don’t try and guess
-- and after a text to let us know a table was available, we
were met at the door to have our foreheads scanned. We then
were held in the entrance until the couple ahead of us was
seated. As we stepped forward to converse with the hostess,
I pulled my mask down a bit to be able to communicate and
was immediately reprimanded; “Sir, please put your mask on
properly.” Fortunately, I obeyed her request and did not make
a scene; but I was not happy. (Confession time) I was quite
upset. In fact, it bothered me my whole meal and even more
the more I thought about it. After sharing the story of my disgust a few times, I realized that it was quite silly for me to be upset. The poor girl was just doing her job, and I WAS supposed to be wearing the mask properly.
I know that this was not nearly any type of persecution for a
particular belief, and I would not begin to compare this incident to the suffering of the Psalmist. But I was impressed this week as, I read Psalm 25. My disdain with the mask situation has caused me to think of the many distractions that have been placed in our paths over the last months, so much to the point where division and hatred have begun to inch toward normal. David expresses how ‘the troubles of my heart have multiplied…See how my enemies have increased’ (Psalm 25:17).
David prays to the Lord for his help in guarding and rescuing
him. We are under pressure and persecution ever so slight or
perhaps not so slight. May we strive to pursue integrity and act with uprightness and faith. I realize that I don’t always respond the way I should. So pray along with me that we all seek to do the right thing no matter what people say or think because our hope is in the Lord! 20]Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21]May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.