What I’m about to say, I think, could be seriously misunderstood, so let me preface everything with this:
I am all for people making responsible decisions that prioritize their medical safety during these unprecedented times of change. I am not a conspiracy theorist. I know people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. I have friends in the medical industry who are love Jesus and have indicated this is something to be taken seriously. This is real.
Sure, I still have questions about a lot of what’s going on. I wonder why the government has reacted or communicated in certain ways. Like many of you, I’m frustrated over the confusing and sometimes contradictory messages that communicated by people we are supposed to trust (like the U.S. Surgeon general emphatically stating in March that masks are useless, only for public policy to come around to the complete other side a couple of months later).
But therein lies the point: there is so much unknown, and what we think we know know may very well be untrue…tomorrow! With that being the case, it is reasonable and wise for people to make decisions that prioritize their medical safety during this season- which may include a decision to remain sheltered at home and, generally speaking, avoiding going out in public.
Yet at the same time, a decision made to keep you safe- particularly if it involves staying at home- could become incredibly destructive very quickly. How?
When you don’t just socially distance or shelter at home. You socially isolate.
What I mean by that is this: It’s one thing to choose to stay home. It’s another thing to cut off contact with the outside world. It’s one thing to not go out. It’s another thing to not reach out. It’s one thing to keep your distance physically. It’s another to choose to distance yourself emotionally and spiritually.
It’s one thing to choose to not be around people. It’s another thing entirely to disconnect from people. And the results of that over time are absolutely devastating.
Consider the words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (emphasis mine):
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
What Scripture makes clear to us here is this: doing life disconnected from others is a losing battle. In fact, it’s the fast track towards a life that becomes absolutely wrecked:
- If I’m alone and disconnected from people…then when (not if) I make a poor decision, there will be no one around to help me change and get back on the right track.
- If I refuse to reach out, then, when I get lonely (and I’ve even had introverts tell me in this season that they need people!), there’s no one to encourage or comfort me.
- If I choose to distance myself from people- particularly the family of God- then, when I’m tempted, I will be quickly overpowered because there is no one around to help me fight against it.
Both sin and dysfunctional emotions thrive when we choose social isolation. And while it’s still relatively easy to choose distance over connection under normal circumstances, it’s even easier when you choose to stay at home.
What that means is this: now, more than ever, community must be intentionally pursued if we’re going to experience it in our lives. While that may not necessarily mean showing up on Sunday morning in-person, it certainly should mean we do something.
- We intentionally connect in relationships through a group…even if it’s over Zoom (and I get it, we’re all Zoomed out! But, if you’re choosing to stay home, then we must prioritize our spiritual health over our spiritual preferences. I don’t eat salad because I like it; I eat it because I need it. We may not like Zoom, but if you’re at home it really is the best option we have).
- We reach out to someone TODAY- even if “I feel fine”– because chances are 1) you’re not- not really, and 2) even if you are “fine”, you’re developing blind spots that desperately need attention.
- We engage in our LifeSpring Online Community on Facebook.
- It may even mean you throw on a mask (I get it if you don’t like it- no one hates masks more than me) and show up on a Sunday morning gathering to engage with people. Sure, it’s not ideal- but if you’re low risk for COVID-19 and the only reason you’re not showing up is because you don’t want to wear a mask, then it’s time to put your spiritual health over your personal preferences and choose connection over distance.
I’ll say it again: I am not advocating for unwise, reckless decisions that put yourself and others at risk. Not at all! What I AM saying is that, even if your decision is to stay at home and stay safe during this season, you’ve still GOT to make an intentional effort to pursue connection with other people in some form.
I’ve said it before from stage, but a lone sheep is a very easy target for the wolf. An isolated Christian is a Christian that is high-risk for something potentially destructive to occur in their lives.
Don’t stay disconnected. Choose community
We’ll find out more about that that means this weekend. You can join us at 11 AM in person, or you can try LifeSpring Church Online on Sunday at 11:15 AM and 7:15 PM, or Monday at 7:15 PM.