Part of the strange new world of living in a pandemic is meeting via Zoom. I find myself writing this blog as I have completed one such meeting and am waiting for another. In one way, it is really interesting to be able to sit in the comfort of my office, not have to drive 20 miles to a meeting and still get some positive things accomplished. Whoever is responsible for such innovations is really rather clever and I am grateful that even while many things still can’t be done, lots of things can.
One of the obvious drawbacks of such meetings is the lack of personal connection that can only happen when people are physically present with others. I wasn’t able to read the body language of others who were listening as someone spoke. I noticed myself getting distracted by how annoying some of my own body language was! I wonder what people thought when for some reason I found myself repeatedly yawning. I also missed the many little seemingly meaningless conversations that take place before and after each meeting. I miss the small talk even though it isn’t particularly profound. There is just something about being around other human beings that radically changes the dimension of virtually everything we humans do.
I think what I am trying to describe is one of the hidden effects of covid. As I have been trying to make sense of the new world I live in, both geographically and culturally due to covid, I can honestly say I have underestimated the social and spiritual consequences which are painfully evident now. Being forced to forgo personal interaction has led to the stalling or even disintegration of many relationships. As a preacher I especially have an interest and evidence about this phenomenon. Not being able to be around other humans in the flesh can make us less trusting, less cooperative, as well as feeding into feelings of anxiety, hopelessness and loneliness. I am sure there is physiological documentation to explain what I am talking about. All I know is that things go much better when we are free to interact with one another in person.
As a Minister of the Gospel, I see this phenomenon having an impact within the congregation. My wonder is do you see it too? I am not asking for validation of my theory or opinion. I am not just having an off day. I wonder if you have properly considered why Scripture consistently teaches the Body of Christ to meet together. Not is some sort of legalistic, God is going to get you if you miss a Sunday way, but in a human way.
I am sure that in the next few weeks covid will subside again and things will once again start to get back to normal. My wonder has to do with how we approach the road to normalcy again. Will we only be thankful that our family and friends are not suffering physically and enjoy the freedom to do what we want or will we realize that human contact, particularly within the Church of Jesus Christ isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity! I have this fantasy (yes, preachers have fantasies!) that all of us associated with Itawamba Christian Church as well as others who are a part of this community will flock through the doors of Church building with the look of one who is hungering and thirsting. Longing for Jesus, longing for spiritual nourishment, longing for truth and especially, longing for the pleasure of being present among other human beings who feel exactly the same way.
While we wait for things to subside, I hope you will join me in looking closely at these issues and give an accurate assessment to your take on it. My hope is that being a part will not contribute to the other pandemic that has been raging in our culture before any of us heard of covid: the pandemic of Christ-followers trying to live for Him alone. May God heal us and forgive us as we ponder His best for us and our temptations to go through life without one another.
Leave a Reply