Social Distancing and Community Spread

In order to not spread the COVID-19 virus, we hear much these days about “social distancing” and “community spread.”  Some thoughts about both:

Let me suggest that social distancing is a very difficult concept for true Christians as it is a hallmark of their faith.  Christians are charged to draw near to their God and to one another (“forsake not assembling”) so to use gifts and weep with one another.   Furthermore, true Christianity is rooted in the belief that their God is triune or one and three.  Such a God is all about closeness, unity, fellowship, and oneness.  Christianity is about a life rich with social engagement as Jesus showed us (“follow Me”) and taught us (“I have fervently desired to partake of this with you.”).

The God in whose image we are created is one and three, thus about community.  Consider:  “Forsake not the gathering of yourselves together,” Hebrews 10:25.  “How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity,” Psalm 133:1.  And “…from whom the whole body, joined and knit together,” Ephesians 4:16.  I have heard many lament that we are restricted from spreading love and joy in community over these days.  May God be pleased to bring this current reality to a close quickly!

Now we Americans are called to practice “social distancing” which is perfectly understandable with a disease that seems to be easily transmitted.  Thus, it is understandable that we need to practice distancing.  The challenge with distancing concerns both the amount of space and the time of distance.  Is 6 feet apart right?  Is a group less than 10 the right number?  Is fourteen days, three weeks or two months the correct time?  Hard, hard decisions for those in leadership over us.  May we be faithful to keep them before the heavenly throne.

While small groups are still allowed (ten or fewer), most all groups are not only to be avoided (too many in COSTCO), but even forbidden.  For these next days, we will have to settle for virtual reality huddles – which is far better than none!  Let’s be diligent to connect with one another (“thinking of you” or “praying for you” or “missing you”) and engage one another (“How is Jimmy?” or “How can I serve you?” or “Remembering your pain of a year ago”)!

Then there is “community spread.”  This is a daily “yes” and “no” for faithful Christians.   We are to spread love, mercy, wealth, justice, and kindness – be salt and light.  We are to be about good community spread.  But we are to be against the community spread of ideas void of God (evolution), teachings void of truth (life springs from non-life), and bad attitudes like bitterness (Hebrews 12:15).  So, community spread is both something to be desired and something to avoid (this virus is to be avoided!)  May we always be wise about “community spread.”

It is hard for Christians to think of “distancing” and “spread” when we have been taught and thought of our lives as togetherness and touch.  May God be pleased to shorten these days of restriction and let us get back to doing what He calls us to and doing what we love!

So, continue to pray for wisdom for those seeking to make the right calls for us.  And let us fall before our God asking for His intervention bringing healing and restoration.