Kevin Nunnery | March 25, 2020
Social Distancing isn’t a term we’d heard about before a few weeks ago. Absent of context, this seems like something a pastor would never prescribe. I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve taught that isolation is a tool of the enemy. Community is an essential part of pursuing relationship with Christ, and there’s something rich and life-giving about gathering together. That’s part of why the writer of Hebrews says:
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 10:25 (NLT)
But now we live in a world of social distancing. We’re told that we should NOT meet in large groups, and that we should maintain six feet of distance between ourselves and others. How do we take these precautionary steps and still function as a community?
Community is a cornerstone of the believer’s life. Community can be a refuge in difficult times. Community is a gift from God Himself. If I asked you to name the first thing in the Bible that is deemed not good, your mind would probably jump to Genesis 3: The serpent deceiving Adam and Eve into disobeying God, and therefore breaking fellowship with Him. While this is in fact not good, this was not the first thing deemed such.
You have to go back to Genesis 2:18:
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
It’s not good to be alone! We’re created for community. So how do we continue to live this out, in light of the need to social distance? Here are four simple suggestions:
- Facetime Party
Even though you’re physically apart, you can still see your friends’ smiling faces! You can get up to 32 people in a Facetime group. Everyone is there! Not an iOS/Apple person? Try Zoom, which can support even more people at once!
- Bible App
There are hundreds of reading plans available on the Bible App. Not a smartphone person? You can access the same content on a computer. Jump into a plan together with your crew, share observations, insights and prayer requests. Pursue Jesus together while apart!
- Go for a Walk
This has been one of the best things we’ve done in our home. Guess what? There are a lot of people out there doing the same thing. You can speak to that older couple from next door, reconnect with old friends, and pass on words of encouragement. Let your neighbors know you’re there for them and that they’re not alone. Not only are you cultivating new community, but you’re also living on mission.
- Online Church
While the Brookwood Church doors may be closed, our ministry is not. Through March 31 join us on Facebook at 8:45 am for morning devotions. Online Sunday Services are at 11 am at brookwoodchurch.org/live. If you miss a Sunday message visit brookwoodchurch.org/watch. You can also download the Brookwood Church app from your favorite app store. Keep checking the brookwoodchurh.org/keepconnected page for new postings.
However you seek to connect in these days of social distancing, focus on the second half of Hebrews 10:25 (above). Encourage one another, especially now that the day of Jesus’ return is drawing near. Not to sound an end-times alarm, but it’s simple logic that His return is sooner today than it was yesterday. We’re told to redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16 NLT). Let’s use our time well. We’re together in this, even if we’re apart.