Wow! I can't believe that it has been a week since I last wrote and at the same time, I find myself saying, "It's only been a week?" So many things have changed in this week and have changed rapidly, sometimes minute to minute. We are in uncharted territories as we have moved from a person to person ministry to one of electronic presence as congregations have moved to online services and closed buildings. Thank God that we have technology to help us stay connected.
As we practice safe distancing to defeat this viral outbreak, I would caution that safe distancing does not mean that we live in isolation. Now more than ever we need to explore ways to stay connected to family and to one another. We need to remain in relationship. My encouragement to you is to call, text, message, e-mail, face-time, Skype, or send a card or note to one another. Check to make sure your family, friends, and neighbors are okay. General posts on FaceBook are good, but don't forget the personal touch. After all, God is a God of personal relationship. God has always reached out to individuals. God reaches out to each one of us. As we develop our personal relationship with God, God then encourages us to make those personal relationships with others. In Hebrews 10.23-25 (NIV) it reads
"23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
May we hold this verse in front of us. Encouraging one another, uplifting one another and finding creative ways to meet. In this time of confinement and distancing, may we find ways to draw us closer to one another in community.
Blessings,
Pastor Bev