Good Morning, Church!
With the current Covid-19 virus going around, we are being strongly encouraged to self-distance or self-quarantine in order to stay away from others. Really?
If we are isolated then what are we going to do with the great commission found in Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” And in Matthew 28:20a, “teaching them all things whatever I have commanded you AND I am with you ALWAYS.”
There are a lot of warnings about having social gatherings these days. We are all familiar with the initial recommendation to limit gatherings to 50, and then the suggestion to limit it to no group larger than 10.
On the door of a funeral home recently was a sign indicating that no more than 50 people were allowed inside the building. At the time of this writing, restaurants' occupancy was limited to 50% and tables were cordoned off to maintain social distance between patrons. BUT only a few days later, all restaurants have been ordered to close their dining rooms. Things are changing rapidly!
What does all this mean for you and me as Christians? I’m glad you asked! It means that we go into the world and preach the gospel! But, in these times and under these circumstances how can we go “out” and preach the gospel?
Think about this -- I believe the teaching here is more than verbiage: it is you and me being the church as we live out our Christ-likeness. You see, you and I *ARE* the church! The church is not just a building; it is not limited to Storm Grove Middle School!
As fellow believers we all are a part of the body of Christ. We have different talents and abilities. In these times that we are in today with social distancing, continue to be the church by using the talents and abilities that God has given you to be Christ like.
How can you do this?? Make a phone call, send someone a text message, write them an email. Shoot, you can even cook a meal or bake a cake and leave it on their doorstep. Who knows? Maybe you could just leave them a package of toilet paper!!
You know what talents and abilities you have – it’s the time to use them! You can also be the church at the grocery store, pumping gas, in the car, how you drive, all these ways to show what the church is and being Christ like in our world today.
Be creative. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can be a blessing to an anxious community.
In closing let me share this, 1 John 4: 7-8, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
Bill McLellan
Vero Bible Fellowship Elder Team