We are in the middle of some weird days here in our country. COVID-19, the virus, has shut down much of our country as we’ve known it. We’re three weeks in to social distancing from people at the grocery store, thoroughly washing and sanitizing hands, working from home, E-learning, trying to stay open and essential, and even doing church online. Bedrooms have become our offices, meetings have moved to video calls, homes have become the primary place of eduction, we’re not physically seeing the people that we normally rub shoulders with on a usual basis — and this will continue for at least another month.
For the church, this includes not gathering physically to celebrate for Easter. It’s also means not gathering in homes for small groups or attending Bible studies or youth group or prayer nights. All of the Church’s physically present privileges have been postponed and put on hold for the time being.
I’ve been thinking about Paul’s epistles in a new light these days. He often starts them thanking God for remembrance of those He can’t see, and spurs them on from afar in their pursuit of honoring Christ and upholding the Gospel —
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…” Galatians 1:3
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers…” Ephesians 1:16
“I thank God in all my remembrance of you…because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…” Philippians 1:3-5
“…asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding…” Colossians 1:9
That’s really what pastoring and iron sharpening iron has become for right now. The fondness in which Paul writes is the same fondness that many feel toward those they’re separated from during these days. Pastors feel it toward their flock, families feel it in different states, and even close friends feel it as they creatively try to come up with ways to interact, whether by drive-by drop-offs or van picnics parked 6 feet from one another (creative!).
But we can take great heart, like Paul, in that the Gospel is able to transcend borders. The Gospel is able to sustain in separation. The Gospel is an anchor for the soul when the sea of life roars. The Gospel is committed to the goodness it has started in each of its messengers, and nothing can stop the perfecting power of the saints through the day of Jesus Christ.
So, in these days we should be like Paul. We should miss one another. We should pray diligently for one another. We should thank God for one another, every chance we get. And by whatever means necessary—whether by letter, or social media, or zoom call, or text— we should spur one another on to “not lose heart…for we’re being renewed day by day (2Cor 4:16),” urge our brothers and sisters to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (Col 1:10),” and remind each other that in every situation we can be content, for we “can do all things through Him who gives us strength. (Phil 4::11-13).”
“Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” 1 Timothy 1:2