There are a series of books from Isaac Asimov I read many years ago. “Steal Rat” and others that formed his later I, Robot series. It was a future time. People lived away from people. Large estates, isolated from their nearest neighbors. They had moved past the crowding problem (I don’t remember the details) and were now looking for distance.
It seems strange, but they did not even want to breath in the same room of oxygen that another person was using! They were living in a contactless society.
Of course, in our days of social distancing. we are living these days now. Or so it seems. I went to our local big box store just yesterday. Shopping for food was a controlled event, only a few allowed inside at a time, but few were practicing the 6 foot, or is it 27 foot, rule.
For centuries, disease study has shown that it’s better to not be in the same proximity of another as they cough, hack and deliver germs around the room! Of course, before modern science, they could not possibly know of the germs that live in the very exhaled breath of anyone.
If you think about the words used to describe disease that killed and maimed so many. Pox, as in small…makes me wonder if there was ever a large pox. We definitely know the Chicken variety. Or, the Black Plague. What did it look like? No idea, but the name indicates something, perhaps. Leprosy. And, to rhyme with it, perhaps even Dropsy. Elephantiasis. Measles. Malaria. Mumps. Rubella. Diphtheria.
These words bring the horror of fearing we might catch the same thing!
I remember when…it seems, if one caught measles, maybe put all the kids together so they can all have them at the same time!
What’s Your Experience?
We are learning old-time lessons with new experiences. The banks used to want you to remove your hat and sunglasses when you entered, now everyone wants you to wear PPE (Personal Protection Equipment). Masks. Face shields. Gloves. Even outer coverings to protect your work or street clothes from getting smeared with a disease.
We do this to protect ourselves, and those we go home to.
My bride is diabetic, thus her ability to repel sickness are different than mine. Children have not built up their resistance to these myriad of bugs, so we watch out for them. Those with recent diagnosis and treatment are susceptible to new waves of incoming diseases.
Unless you have a cut on your hand, most of the modern day things we worry about are not absorbed through the skin. That’s a pretty tough membrane that protects our body. So, I can shake your hand… just don’t touch my face until I use disinfectant. The skin may be tough, but transference can happen even hours later.
On our first and only cruise ship experience, yes, we went to Alaska as tourists, the motto of entry into the dining areas was, “Washy, washy, washy”. We were directed to the disinfectant dispenser kept at every doorway. Hospitals have these devices every 20 feet or so!
Here’s My Thought Today
Jesus lived in different times with its own diagnosis and fears. Though many may cringe at the thought, he never seemed to be worried about catching what others had. From blinded eyes, withered limbs, and even dead bodies, Jesus touched them without fear.
In fact, most seemed to accept that the only way to be healed was for him to touch them. Repeatedly, we find that he touched others and they received their healing.
Yet, we also find that there was the idea of touching him and they would receive their strength.
The woman with the issue of blood thought all she needed to do was touch the hem of his garment. Healing! Of course, it worked. (Mark 5:28) In fact, this same thought was exhibited by all the diseased in Gennesaret. (Matthew 14:34-36)
Touching is one of our five senses, and when we must do without it, then our struggles are just beginning. Share on XWe are living in a time when we must refrain from touching, but their society believed in touch.
This brings me to two songs that are rumbling through my mind…
He Touched Me
Shackled by a heavy burden
‘Neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
And now I am no longer the same.
Chorus
He touched, oh, he touched me
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened, and now I know
He touched me, and made me whole.
Since i’ve met this blessed savior
Since he’s cleansed and made me whole
I will never cease to praise him
I’ll shout it while eternity rolls.
Oh! he touched me! Oh! he touched me!
He touched me! And Oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened, and now I know
He touched me, and made me whole.
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Ira F. Stanphill
He Touched Me lyrics © New Spring Publishing Inc.
One Touch of His Hand!
One touch of his hand, and the blind eyes could see,
one touch of his hand, and the captives were free,
one touch of his hand, has saved my lost soul,
and given me rest, in the master’s great fold.
Chorus:
One touch of his hand, And my troubles are gone,
One touch of his hand, And I’m not left alone,
Every heartache must flee, At the Master’s command,
Hallelujah I’m free, At the touch of his hand.
One touch of his hand, and the lame leap for joy,
One touch of his hand, evil forces destroy,
One touch of his hand, and a soul lost in sin,
found a pathway to tread, and a door to go in.
One touch of his hand, chilly waters divide,
One touch of his hand, leads to life’s other side,
One touch of his hand, when my life here is o’er,
will land me safe home, on that beautiful shore.