This is disappointing, but we can manage. I don't see this as a matter of religious freedom as some are painting it, but rather submitting to our governmental authorities as they promote good (citizen health) and refrain evil (Covid-19). We are not being denied our freedom to worship. We currently do it in alternative ways, although we are truly missing our church families and worshiping together. We are not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, just waiting out Covid-19. Yet, this is doing us good as well, for absence is making my heart grow fonder.
It will also do us good to return to work and to our favorite retail stores and shops, which we've been give the go-ahead to do, even while we must continue to wear the face masks (I miss the smiles they hide). Perhaps this is making us all more appreciative and grateful for what we've more or less taken for granted (and maybe the tips at the restaurants and salons will be bigger when they are allowed to open later). I'm reminded of our family's two-year temporary transfer to Venezuela. When asked how long we were there, My Beloved replies, "two years"; I reply "too long". The time was good for us but difficult, and definitely not something I'd want to do again. I'm glad that's in the past and not in the present.
Perhaps there has been too much reliance on church services to meet our worship need. Before the Covid-19, did our worship take place only at the church worship service? Is worship relegated now to our live-streaming experience at home? Worship is not a time and place; it is to permeate our whole being and is an expression of our faith in Jesus Christ. We worship God when we love Him with all our heart, our soul, our mind, our strength. Surely, this can take place wherever we may be. While Scripture also calls us to worship corporately, we don't need a worship leader in order to worship.
But perhaps the more pointed issue at stake is the gathering of ourselves together for fellowship, to be blessed by one another, to encourage and admonish one another, to bear one another's burdens, to serve one another, accept one another, disciple one another, and the many more one-anothers of the Bible. While it certainly is easier and more effective as we gather, this can be done in the circumstances in which we currently find ourselves. We have to think about it a little more strategically, though.
Yet, I'm wondering if the core issue in wanting to get back together is not what we can do for one another, but what others can do for us. I'm not denying that it is extremely helpful to gather together, I'm simply suggesting that while the pews are empty, we examine ourselves and honestly ask what we're really missing when we cannot gather. And then, take action on that when we do come together once again. It will truly be interesting to see how we have changed and phileo love has increased.
Image via Pixabay
