But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn’t be a body, but a monster. What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. No part is important on its own. Can you imagine Eye telling Hand, “Get lost; I don’t need you”? Or, Head telling Foot, “You’re fired; your job has been phased out”? 1 Corinthians 12:19-21 MSG
It is interesting that the pandemic sweeping across our world today has necessitated new vocabulary. Terms like “lockdown”, “self-isolation”, “social distancing” and “quarantine” have suddenly become part of our day-to-day jargon. In my view they represent genuine efforts by the powers that be to protect humanity and help us all survive this terrible scourge.
The danger, however, is that we can begin to unwittingly apply these notions to our spiritual lives, let alone our emotional wellbeing. We can easily become distant from the Lord and the saints spiritually. Beware that you don’t lose your sense of emotional connection with your family and the saints. Beware of a false sense of self-sufficiency.
We need each other now more than ever! Our church buildings may be shut, but the true church (the body of Christ) remains wide open. More importantly, as the Lord’s return draws nearer and nearer, the various members of Christ’s body need one another even more.
Self-isolation does not spell spiritual isolation. Social distancing does not mean spiritual distancing. We may be under a health lockdown, but the Word of God is still unlocked for all of us. We still have access to the throne of grace. We can still enter His gates with thanksgiving in our hearts and His courts with praise. The Spirit of wisdom and revelation is still in the business of leading us into all truth. Many shops and businesses may be closed for now, but Heaven is still open for business.
Our awesome God is still in the business of blessing people. He is still setting captives free, answering prayers, healing the sick, strengthening the weary, comforting the afflicted, mending broken hearts, revealing mysteries, working miracles and challenging the complacent.
The same God who pursued Adam and Eve after their fall, remembered poor Hagar and Ishmael when Abraham rejected them, called doubtful Moses when he was alone in the desert, met lonely Elijah when he fled from Jezebel, surprised the timid Gideon when he secretly thrashed wheat in the wine press, rescued barren Hannah from her rival’s ridicules and delivered the imprisoned Peter when he had been unjustly arrested-He is a very present help in time of need.
Keep in touch with the heavens. Fan the flames on your altar. Maintain a closer walk with Jesus. Serve the Lord with gladness. Stir up the gift of God that is you. Pray without ceasing. Rejoice always. Hold on to your faith. Walk in love. Magnify the name of the Lord. Stay connected. Social distancing is not spiritual distancing. God bless and keep you. Pastor Josh