03/22/3020
Social distancing versus physical distancing, can we be separated from each other without being absent from one another, and maintain our church relationships in the face of a Pandemic that forces us to remain physically apart for a long period of time? These are things that we as Christians need to realize are not new to us, or that we aspire to, but are part of our faith, and as a matter of fact are core to it. John tells us that we have never seen God, but He Abides in us, and that Jesus is in Heaven, but will return.
“No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.”
1 John 4:12-13 ESV
And, although we are told that Jesus abides in us, Peter tells us we can even love Him without seeing Him as we await His second coming...
“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV
The government and press have coined a new term “social distancing”, but that is not what we should be doing; what we should in fact be doing is physically distancing ourselves from one another. It is the physical distance that keeps us from catching a virus from one another, but social, or spiritual distancing destroys relationships, and harms us emotionally, both spiritually, and mentally. Physical distance consists of time and space, but social distance involves love, relationship, and all the intangible things that make us who we are together.
So we should separate ourselves physically, but never socially, or spiritually. Being together spiritually and socially do not require us to be physically together. In fact, there are many things we can do to maintain contact with one another without being in close physically proximity to one another. We can call each other on the phone, text, video conference, Skype, use social media, and we can even do something amazingly personal that can be read, held , and kept... we can actually write a handwritten letter and send it to our loved one by mail. In this way we can have relationship with one another, and be together in our spiritual relationship as well. Isn’t this exactly what we have always done together in church when we would pray, write our prayers in a prayer journal, sing, and worship? We are maintaining a relationship with God even though we can’t see Him physically, and with Jesus who we await to physically return.
“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."”
John 4:24 ESV
So as we suffer through this time of plague and pestilence, and separate ourselves physically to stop its spread, we should never neglect, or separate ourselves from each other socially, or spiritually. When we pray together on the phone or via the written word, we are still together, or as Jesus says... “gathered together”. Don’t sell short the importance of this concept of togetherness because it is the essence of our relationship with one another, Jesus Christ, and God.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."”
Matthew 18:20 ESV
Today as we are told to physically separate, let’s look for ways to join together as a family, community, or church. Remember that being together physically isn’t what makes us a family, it isn’t what makes us a community, and it certainly doesn’t make us the Church. The blood, love, and DNA, we share makes us family, the like mind, or experiences, makes us community, and our belief, in God, and His Son Jesus Christ makes us the Church.
If you are distanced from your church today, hopefully it has made an online worship service available that you can join each Sabbath, but if not then watch one on television, listen to one on the radio, or search for one on the internet. If need be stand on either side of a wall, and join in prayer with another... whatever it takes. Come together socially and spiritually because it is important to your relationship with not only those you typically worship with, but to you as a spiritual being... as a child of God.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being with us, and abiding in us. Thank you Lord for bringing us together in love, faith, family, community, and Church. Teach us Holy Father the importance of our relationship with you, Jesus, and one another. Show us the love that you expect us to exhibit in each of these. Give us your creative inspiration as we look for ways to join together in spite of the distance that might separate us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose love joins us, and whose Son, and grace, redeems us. Praised be your name in the hard times when we suffer, face trials, or are separated from one another by distance or circumstance. Hear our prayers Father as they are joined together by various forms of media, and in creative ways. Have mercy on us Lord, and join with us as we seek your presence in adversity. Send your Holy Spirit to fill us, and pray with us Regardless of where we find ourselves. Comfort us Mighty God, and keep us from loneliness, and despair by making us aware of your constant attention, and presence. Hear our songs, our prayers, and read our written words to you as we worship. Be with us now, and forevermore as we join with you, and walk together in eternal relationship.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 ESV
Rich Forbes