A Nevispages.com weekly feature by Curtis Morton Sr.
The way I see it, the word CURFEW has suddenly taken on real meaning.
Previously, I thought it was a word only relevant to those countries that always have wars and endless strife.
Well, it started to unravel, when it got as close as Jamaica in recent times, but even that did not give me a reality check, as it was only done in specific areas of Jamaica, where the violence had become increasingly rampant.
However, the real thing hit home, when a curfew-24 hour lockdown, was mandated in St. Kitts and Nevis.
So I looked up the meaning of CURFEW. My friend GOOGLE explains: “a regulation requiring people to remain indoors between specified hours, typically at night.”
Well, our CURFEW over the last few days, mandated that we remain in 24-hour lockdown mode until today, Friday and then the PM indicated that it has been extended into next week, with PARTIAL CURFEW today Friday and tomorrow Saturday, to allow persons to collect necessary supplies.
Well I newa!
I must say that it is not a nice feeling to be only restricted to your yard space, but it is amazing to ‘discover’ the countless projects that have been put on hold at your home.
Those branches that you had promised to cut; that pipe that you had promised to fix; that storeroom you had promised to clean out……Well, the excuses about being tired from work, don’t hold up anymore.
So, some of us have been very busy over the last few days, with the dreaded thought of much more to come….
On the other hand, I have heard about some people who boast about their hours spent in EAT, SLEEP and TV watching.
I get the impression that if electricity and internet was to go for the next several days, some people DEAD!
Seriously though, if this is the necessary way to curb this dreaded plague, we just have to grin and bear it.
Now the total lockdown in the first instance was implemented from 7 pm Tuesday 31st March to 6 am Friday 3rd April.
Now, I live close to the road, so sometimes I am privy to some very interesting conversations.
One such conversation on that Tuesday afternoon peaked my interest.
Three neighbourhood guys, known for their drinking binges, were having a ‘house of assembly’ of sorts:
‘Bwoy, you know we can’t go out after 7 tonight?”
“Yeah and BRINO going close.”
“So, you done buy you rum to last you til Friday?’
“Yeah me buy an whole bottle. Me gat um ya.”
“Me buy an bottle too but me nah know if it going last til Friday!”
Hey, in times like these, when the Devil is seeking souls through COVID-19, I thought it was as good a time as any, for us to seek a closer walk with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
But, you know what I have discovered?
Circumstances, no matter how dread and life-threatening, really do not make better Christians.
There was a time in my youthful days when I thought about outsmarting God.
In my head, I had this big plan, that I would live as I want and do anything I wanted to do until I got old and then when I was old and felt I was going to die, then I would become a Christian.
Thankfully, I learnt later on in life, that people can die at any age and at any time and that the best time to give one’s life to Christ, is actually NOW because, after death, there is no more chance for repentance.
I further realized, due to my many interactions with senior citizens, that as people age, they become more and more set in their ways and are not apt to change then.
I always remember the Christena disaster as well. I am told, that despite the gravity of that situation, as the boat was on its way down, there was a super mixture of prayers and swear words.
Those who were accustomed to praying were praying and those who were accustomed to cussing were cussing.
I am also reminded of a day, many moons ago, when I had occasion to visit the JNF Hospital in St. Kitts and while passing through the Maternity ward, heard some incessant screams. I later learnt that it was a woman in childbirth:
“Father Jesus, Father Jesus please help me!”
Then sadly this was followed by a string of expletives and then another series of ‘Father Jesus.’
Well I newa!
So, during the lockdown, I guess who accustomed to drink rum—just gonna drink rum.
I would hope however, that we recognize the fact that this corona thing, is all part of that ongoing warfare between good and evil and we are on one or the other, of the two opposing sides.
We are either on God’s side or on Satan’s side.
When we die, we will die to either eternal bliss, if we are on God’s side, or to eternal damnation, if we are on Satan’s side.
There are no spectators in this thing. All of us are intimately involved in the war, because, ultimately, the battle is really about our souls.
I am reminded of the happenings of EXODUS 12:
12. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
13. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
23. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
So, our salvation really, will not merely be in the washing of hands; wearing of face masks; social distancing etc. Mind you these are good, because GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES, but if we seek God’s grace and mercy, no matter what happens, we will be safe.
So, let us observe the law of the land and let us stay safe and busy during these crucial times and TRUST GOD.
That‘s the way I see it. How do you see it?