The Village That Wouldn't Listen

 

Once there was a village of very good people. They worshipped their God every day at established times. They rested on the Sabbath. They proudly kept the Commandments of their God and made certain that all who would move to their village understood the laws and rules. They lovingly chastised those who claimed different beliefs from theirs and separated themselves from those others. It was a pleasant and prosperous village, as the people who lived there fervently believed. They knew that they had nothing to fear for their God was watching over them and would not allow harm to come, unless to teach them and show how loving their God was. They were happy.

One day, news reached the village that a terrible disease was quickly spreading throughout the land. Ah, but they had no fear, for God was watching over them and would save them, if they continued to believe and live as their ancestors had lived. Soon, as scientist came to their town and asked to talk with their medical people. “We have no need of medical people! God will care for us, as long as we keep the rules and believe!” The scientist persisted saying, “You do not understand. This disease is terrible. It moves and changes quickly. It brings with it disability and death. Please, let me talk to those who care for you.” But the people were not moved by the words of the scientist and refused to hear of special cleaning needs and preventive equipment. They knew that they were all well and were safe as their records showed they had always been.

The scientist left the masks, and the antiseptics, and the cautions of distance between them; then sadly walked away. That night the people burned those items for surely, they were of Satan, to trick them into denying their God.

Soon, medical personnel began to appear in the village. They went door to door, inviting the villagers to come and receive the new vaccines that would protect them from the worst of the disease as it continued to adapt and kill. Each villager thanked them for their concern and told them that they knew that disease was not fatal to anyone. Their leaders had assured them that all was well, and they were protected. The holiest among them, who had been blessed by God with great riches and possessions, told them to pray and they too would receive everything they might need to be faithful and healthy amid the disease.

The medical personnel shook their heads and walked away, leaving flyers to tell the villagers where to go to receive the vaccine and who among them should be the first. That very night the people burned those flyers, for surely they were of Satan, and they would not dishonor their God.

Police and firefighters from the neighboring villages came and begged them to get the vaccines. They brought with them those medical providers who were skilled at giving injections and offering words of help and care. Gifts were offered to convince the people to be vaccinated. The villagers asked the safety and medical folks to please leave the village for they were fine. God was in control, and they were not at risk, as long as they followed the rules of God and continued to believe.

And so, the visitors left the town, sadly sharing cards with information as to contacts for rides or help with vaccines and the disease itself. That night, the people burned those cards, for they knew that God was protecting them, and all would be well.  Satan would not prevail.

Then came the day when one by one the villagers became ill. They knew it was the influenza, or a bad cold, for that is what their leaders had told them. They prayed over one another. They anointed the sick and their holy people continued to encourage them to gather for worship and share their offerings so that the work of their God could continue. Ambulances began to appear as the villagers became more and more weak and ill. A makeshift hospital was set up outside the village. The people mourned for those who chose to go to those facilities and rejoiced at those who continued to stay in their homes, following the instructions of the holy people and refusing treatment.

Some of their holy people seemed to disappear! Their assistants told the people that those leaders had followed the call of their God and gone out into the fields to save those people that would trust in their God and follow the rules. More people were taken to that hospital outside of town, and fewer and fewer returned to the village. Finally, the day came when only a few villagers remained.

Those who had left and never returned found themselves gathered at the Throne of their God. “God!” they cried. “We trusted you to save us! We prayed, we anointed one another in your name, we followed your commandments – your rules for living. We did not allow Satan into our midst. Why did you not save us?”

God looked upon them with great Love and Pity. “Ah, my dear ones! I sent you brilliant scientists who used the gifts of study and research I gave them. I sent you caring medical personnel, who wanted to use the healing gifts that I gave them in order that you might be healed and safe. I sent safety personnel with medical workers who I had gifted with the ability to care for you and keep you safe as the disease ravaged village after village around the world. I even sent you people gifted with the ability to build safe places to treat and care for those among you who became so very ill. I sent you brilliant engineers who designed equipment that would aid you as you fought to breathe and improve! What more do you believe that I could have done?”

“You could have come among us with the message of healing and how deadly the disease is! You could have told us what to do and covered us while the disease continued around us! We were faithful to you!”  After a moment God responded, “Ah, my dear ones. Certainly, I did come there! I came in the scientists, the medical experts, the builders, the safety personnel, the medical teams, the workers who came among you and begged you to listen and be vaccinated. You have Free Will, my children. I must respect that ability that I gave to you.”

Surrounding the Holy Throne was absolute silence. One by one, the people broke the silence with their wailing and pleas. “Oh God, we are so filled with sorrow and remorse at what has happened. Many, many of us have family and friends who are yet alive. Please, will you send one of us to tell them the truth that their lives may be spared?”  God sighed and began to weep. “Ah, my dear ones. You would not listen. Even now, should someone return from the dead to warn them, neither will they listen.” And the people fell down as one and wept.