by Pastor Chris Hays
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
What a great encouragement, but how do we walk this out under a “stay-at-home” order? Thankfully, this season is only temporary and we have so many options to meet together online. But I want to dig deeper to check our personal conviction, our personal determination to remain engaged as community of believers. How strong is that conviction? We can’t allow these temporary restrictions to diminish our hold on our identity and calling to be the church. We are better together.
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Social distancing is helping with health issues and we will continue to comply with our governmental authorities. But we also need to actively resist isolation – a pulling into ourselves. The personal touch of community relationships is a profoundly powerful thing. We need it to be spiritually and emotionally healthy.
As the above scripture says:
• We help each other to succeed.
• We lift each other up.
• We warm each other – not just physically but emotionally and spiritually.
• Our strength and effectiveness is multiplied when we are together.
God is answering our prayers and we are seeing this pandemic diminish! We will see restoration. Our “new normal” may challenge us to creatively transcend physical barriers to communicate meaningful connection but the answer will come through our commitment to the call of being the Body of Christ. We are always better together!