In the aftermath of 9-11, when planes crashed in horrible acts of terror against our country, life changed. We didn’t know what to do or where to turn. So we turned to each other. We got together. We gathered for meals. We held loved ones close. We cried together. We worshipped together. We prayed together. And although some things were changed forever and life has been different since that day, we have healed, together.
In the midst of the current global crisis, the COVID19 pandemic, life has changed, and is changing. As with 9-11, or any crisis, our normal response is to want to gather together, to hold each other tight…to go through this together. But we can’t. Because I might be a carrier. I might be contagious. Or you might. So I have to stay 6 feet away from everyone. At this time of crisis when we are in desperate need of living in tandem with those close to us, it seems as though we can’t, because it might make things worse.
But although physical hugs and handshakes might not be advisable or even possible, I’m convinced that it’s vital to find and fight for ways to stay connected, with the people in your life and with God. That’s the way we’ll heal, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We’ll walk through this in tandem – together. Because we need each other, especially in times of crisis.
G. K. Chesterton once said, “There are no words to express the abyss between isolation and having one ally. It may be conceded to the mathematician that four is twice two. But two is not twice one; two is two thousand times one.”
Having someone makes all the difference! It might not even be someone who can change anything – no one seems to be able to attack this virus as it spreads. But there’s something about walking through difficulty together, in tandem, that makes it bearable.
I’m reminded of the familiar words of the 23rd Psalm… “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…”
That’s a promise an amazing promise of companionship with God, that we can walk hand in hand with Jesus! It’s not necessarily a promise of deliverance from the ‘valley of the shadow of death.’ But He’s promising to with us in it…through it… “You are with me” makes all the difference.
And so although things are different than they’ve ever been, the worst thing you can do is to let the crises of life throw you off-course! Fight for those connections! Find new ways to be with God and with the people in your life.
You may find more time on your hands if you’re working from home or your employer has closed down or you’re home with kids who are off school… So be intentional about spending time with God.
- Pray. Connect with your Father.
- Read and study Scripture. Maybe this will be a great time for you to rediscover God’s Word as you have time to invest in reading and listening and growing.
- Find great Christian content online. Although you might not be physically attending church, take online church seriously. Look for worship music that speaks to you. Be intentional about gathering those that you’re ‘quarantining’ with to watch a sermon, to have family worship.
And be intentional about connecting with people too. It can be tempting to cocoon and isolate – I mean, they’re calling it, “social-distancing…” But look for ways for ‘social-tandeming,’ even if it can’t be in person, or in ways you’re used to.
- Call people. Check on your neighbors. Have long conversations with loved ones.
- In your home, play games together. Do a puzzle. Ask questions. Tell stories. Cook dinner.
- Pray for people.
Don’t let yourself get sucked into the mind-numbing aspects of Netflix and social media… Instead, use the technology we have available to connect with others and with God, to learn and grow during this time. As Paul wrote to his friends in Philippi…
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11
All of those things that Paul talks about there can still happen, maybe even more, in this strange new time. Be intentional about discerning what’s best, about becoming more like Christ, about developing your love for God and each other. Right now that has to look a little different. But let’s see what God can do in you and through you as we walk through this valley, together!
#socialtandeming
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