29
Mar '20

SOCIALLY DISTANT YET SPIRITUALLY CONNECTED

Publicada Mar 29, 2020 por Dr. R Clifford Jones en The President's Desk | 59

29
Mar '20

Listening to one of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s press briefings on the coronavirus (COVID-19) contagion the other day, I was struck by something he said. The governor of New York encouraged New Yorkers to remain spiritually connected even as they complied with his Executive Order to practice social distancing.

Social distancing is understood to mean staying at least 6 feet apart from others, especially those you do not know. The admonition of government and medical authorities is that we stay away from each other for our own good.  “Stay at home” is the order of the day. To be socially isolated during these unprecedented times may be the difference between life and death.

Social distancing is a hard sell for members of the faith community, for whom connection and fellowship is a core value. Christianity is not so much a religion as it is a relationship, and it is difficult to be a Christian in isolation.  Indeed, how we relate to others reveals how genuine our walk with Jesus Christ is.

So, how may we be socially distant yet spiritually connected? Following are a few suggestions.

  1. Press together in prayer. Join a group that meets regularly via technology for prayer and supplication. Fervent prayer creates strong  bonds and paves the way to authenticity and openness that are key to bridging physical and social distances.

 

  1. Unite in the Spirit. The men and women who gathered in the Upper Room experienced a unity that caused heaven to open up and the Holy Spirit to fall on them (Acts 2:1).  We can experience unity in the Spirit even though we may not be in the same room or location.  Unity in the spirit begins with an attitude of submission, humility, repentance, and a genuine love for others.

 

  1. Dive deeper into God’s Word. There is no coincidence in the timeliness of this quarter’s Sabbath School lesson, “How to Interpret Scripture.” Becoming a better student of the Word grounds us spiritually, which in turn helps us to foster more genuine relationships with others. So meditate on the promises of God as you focus on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.  

 

  1. Reach out and touch—via technology. Technology presents multiple platforms for connection.  Put social media to work for you.  Worship virtually.  Be creative. 

 

  1. Fall in love with Jesus anew (the best for last). Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. He is the Bridge over troubled waters. He connects and transports.  He is our Everything, our All-in-All.
 

Connection is key to our humanity and spirituality.  Being socially distant does not mean we cannot be spiritually connected.  

Clifford Jones,
Pastor/President
 
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