Social Distancing, not Spiritual Distancing

The Corona virus has us scared, some more than others. But it’s got people scared enough that governments want people off the streets and away from each other. One of the things that makes us human, social interaction, is taken away from us at least in its physical form. People are holing up, panic buying, preparing for their own survival and the survival of their household.

This is the time when it is most important to stand together as one body in the church.

Events have made it so that we find ourselves playing right into the hands of our enemy. They want us angry, want us panicked, want us isolated. Because the reality is that we were made to stand for God together as one body, building each other up with encouragement and correction. God designed us for community, so one can catch another who stumbles. So what do we do when the world is creating distance to each other?

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

— Hebrews 10:24–25

The beautiful thing is that we don’t have to defy governments and authorities to put this verse into practice. The wonder of technology makes the world small enough for us that we can still stir each other up and encourage each other. We can be personal while keeping out of each other’s personal space.

So what can Christians do at a time of social distancing? Keep communicating, keep stirring up, keep encouraging, keep being accountable. Make the most of the digital space to keep connecting with one another, not letting anyone fight in isolation.

Most of all, keep shining a light for Jesus. Remember even in the internet and in social media, we were meant to be a light unto the word.