For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Psalm 84:10
Psalm 84 is a song full of longing! It well expresses what I’ve been feeling much of this week – a longing to be with each of you in the face to face fellowship that should normally mark our relationship together in Christ! We long for one another because we belong together. In calling us to know and walk with Him, Christ’s new creation in our hearts leads us to want to know and walk with one another. I feel that deeply. I know many of you do as well.
So while we’re “stuck” in this time of forced separation let’s do two things:
First, let’s thank God that this is not the normal way we live the Christian life. Let’s look back with gratitude to the fellowship we normally enjoy and thank God that he’s given it! And let’s look forward to the fellowship we will enjoy again, face to face, when circumstances permit it.
And then second, let’s keep finding ways to stay in community with each other as long as this “social distance” mandate continues. Let’s worship together via livestream, meet together by phone, social media, text, etc. pray together by zoom meeting or phone meeting, and keep checking on one another in every way possible. If you’re lonely, reach out to someone. If you know someone else who is, check up on them. God has allowed us many wonderful tools we can use to care for one another at this time. Let’s use them! In doing so we may discover many unexpected opportunities to minister his grace!
Finally, as we think about our longing to be together, remember that all such longing is really a longing for God! He made us to know Him and need Him! So those feelings of need fellowship should remind us just how much we need Him! And the good news is that He is near (Psa 145:18), He’s as close as a knee bent in prayer, and a heart that turns to cry out His name!
I thought I should remind you! Longing for you all!
Pastor Scott