Assemble

7/10/2020

Hebrews 10:24-25 “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of others together.”

This verse is very challenging during a worldwide pandemic. We can still, and certainly should, encourage one another to love and do good works; those things are needed more now than ever. There are many different ways that this can be done through technology.

Now, what about not forsaking assembling together? Many churches have been closed for months, and even though some are slowly reopening, they are doing so with limited capacity. Most programs of any sort are also cancelled for the foreseeable future. This isolation from fellow believers is wearying and sad. We need one another. Chambers writes, “To live a remote, retired, secluded life is the antipodes (opposite) of spirituality as Jesus Christ taught it.”

When I was struggling with my illness, I lived through a time of self-imposed isolation. I stopped going to work and church, I stopped seeing my friends, and was even housebound for a period of time. This new compulsory “stay at home, stay safe” order, as our state’s governor likes to call it, is far too familiar to me, and it brings back memories of a time of deep sorrow. The difference is that back then, I could work to get back to my life, for it was there waiting for me on the other side. Right now, however, we are living in a nebulous time that seems to be stretching out in front of us. The only clear guidance is “wear a mask” and “stay home as much as possible”. Honestly, it has become exhausting.

Is this time creating, as Chambers puts it, “a spiritual sluggishness”? How can we prevent this from happening? We absolutely need to stay in our Bibles and seek God’s wisdom during these times of uncertainty. We also need to reach out to one another. If you have someone who has been on your heart during this time, do not delay in contacting them. Give them a call, Facetime with them, send a card, drop off a small token; just continue to lift others up and encourage them as best you can. You will be mightily blessed for doing so, and you will feel connected even when forced to be apart.

Satan will try to use this time of physical distancing to do as much damage to the church body as possible. Let’s join together to stop him right in his tracts. It is more important than ever that we stay vigilant and continue to be warriors! Let’s join together even though we are apart!