COVID 19 Testing – We were 6 hours from home, 10 minutes from the church where our recently departed friend’s funeral was to be held, when our phone rang. The call was to inform us that on Sunday, three days previous, we had been exposed to the COVID 19 virus. A gentleman who sat right behind us, and with whom we had visited for several minutes after the church service, had been diagnosed as having the virus. This presented a dilemma, especially since I was to say a few words and read some scripture at the funeral. What to do? Go on and not say anything. Hardly. We felt it necessary to notify the family of the deceased lady of the situation. Parking in the lot of the church we called the daughter and informed her of the just learned situation. We all agreed the thing to do was to not come to the funeral, so we left and made the 6 hour drive back home. Ok, so now we’re home and know we’ve been closely exposed. With several events on the calendar in the next few days, what do we do now? Do we have the virus? Should we be tested? Quarantine ourselves? How long do we wait to find out? After several days of quarantine with no symptoms, Mitzi woke up with a terrible headache which lasted about 18 hours…one of the possible signs of infection. Now it’s time to get tested. So we find the nearest clinic and go. “Sorry, we can’t do it today. Out of time slots. Come back tomorrow.” Checked the other clinics online…same story, no appointments available. So now, do we have the virus or not? What do we do? Get tested? Wait and see if we have anymore symptoms? Just hope and pray for the best? It occurs to me that many people live their lives that way when it comes to a saving relationship with God. Do I have it or not? How can I know? Is there a test that will tell me? What are the signs? Sadly, many people have the belief that one really can’t know at all until after death. A standard answer in Latin America when we asked people about their standing with God was, “You can’t know for sure.” We may get a test for COVID, or, we may just wait and see. However, there can be an assurance of the relationship with God. The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1Jn 5:10-13) because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9