Nearness
Masks.
Distance.
Working and shopping from home.
So many things have become a part of our current life that it’s easy to extend that sort of thinking further than is really helpful, forgetting that nearness to one another is an essential part of being human.
When prisoners are difficult to control, they’re often put in solitary confinement as punishment. It solves a short term problem but often causes a long term problem. The American Psychological Association says that one of the biggest effects of solitary confinement among prisoners is that it renders them unable to live in any other setting.
What if the necessary distancing that we are undergoing right now is making it harder for us to actually connect once it’s possible? There is a very real danger that we could emerge from this necessary season of isolation only to tragically discover that we have lost the appetite to live any other way.
While social distancing is a matter of safety right now, we were not meant to live without interaction. Repeatedly, scripture talks of the value of connection between human beings.
It is not good for man to be alone.
A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
Iron sharpens iron.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.
In this season of distance, for the sake of others, for the sake of the church, and for your own good, make the extra effort to draw near to people.
Send that second text message. Make that call and ask “How are you doing?”. Invite someone to enjoy church with in your home or on your patio if you feel comfortable with that. Not only will it mean something to them, the discipline of doing it will remind you that you were meant to connect. We were made to look after one another.
One day soon, we will all be together again. When that happens, we don’t want to be building those connections from scratch.
Join us for prayer and teaching opportunities through the week. If you’re looking for friends to study and grow with, feel free to jump in on one of our zoom meetings! Detail are sent in an email each week.
