Social Distancing.
After a month of staying at home I am feeling more of the distancing than the social. When God created the heavens and earth, plants, animals and mankind He declared everything to be good. Only one thing was NOT good—that man was alone. We are putting that declaration to the test!
There is a reason God created a partner for Adam and a reason he gives 59 “one another” statements in the New Testament.
We need each other!
While fellowship feels harder and harder to implement in this social distancing climate, we need it more than ever.
The command of Hebrews 10:24-25 is still true: “Let us not give up meeting together.”
How do we do that well in the season of social distancing and home isolation? Over the next couple of weeks, I will explore the Biblical benefits of fellowship and how you can apply them during this time of social distancing.
The first benefit of Biblical fellowship, and one that is especially needed now, is this:
FELLOWSHIP LIFTS UP
Earlier this week I realized I was carrying a lot of the weight of the past month by myself. It was manifesting itself in a quick temper and angry thoughts. The past few weeks have tested the patience of all of us in one way or another.
Two phone calls to spiritual mentors in my life made all the difference. Both men were able to hear out what was going on in my life, encourage me, and pray for me.
Being isolated hasn’t created a need for Biblical fellowship; it has revealed it.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”
There is a scene in the movie Coach Carter when one of the players is trying to run a certain number of sprints and pushups to earn his way back on the team. He fails to meet the goal in the allotted time and is about to lose his chance when one of the teammates offers to do pushups for him. Sensing the moment, others offer to run for him. The coach accepts the teamwork and allows them to complete the goal together.
Don’t try to run through life, and this season, alone. Allow God to use brothers and sisters in Christ to lift you up when you are down and struggling.
Fellowship fulfills the role believers are supposed to play for each other in Galatians 6:1-2: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
You might not be able to be together physically, but there are people who can bear your burdens with you right now! Who in your life can lift you up and bring you encouragement?
Put it Into Practice:
If you are like me you are spending lots of time on Zoom and Facetime calls. I’m doing all of my work and appointments that way. While I’m thankful for the technology, there is also something formal about it. It’s starting to feel like work. I have found myself craving a simple phone call.
The phone calls that came in my life this week were great helps. It is shocking to me how quickly 2-3 weeks can go by without a conversation like that in my life.
What about you?
What if you picked up the phone and made a regular old phone call to a spiritual leader or friend today?
Fight the urge to share surface-level details. Be vulnerable and share something that is challenging you right now. Ask them what struggles they are dealing with. Listen. Then pray for each other at the end.
Allow God to use brothers and sisters in your life to lift you up.
Who are you going to call? Drop their first name below and we’ll pray for God to use these conversations for encourage us this week.
Next week we’ll look at another benefit that is absolutely crucial for you during this crisis!
