“Alone Together!” “We are in this together!” “We will get through this together!”
Unless you live under a box, we’ve all seen phrases similar to the ones above, the past several weeks. I’ve had to chuckle at the irony of their oxymoronic message more than once. In these days of social distancing they appear to be a contradiction. How will we get through this “together” if we are required to stay apart?” How can we be “alone” “together”? However, if we look at these statements from a Christian worldview, we begin to see something deeper that is inherent within all of us — our need as humans to connect, live in community, and be “together”. Unlike the world who might not recognize why community is important, we recognize that we were created by a Creator who designed us to thrive on relationships with Himself and others.
This need for relationships is seen in the very nature of a triune God who exists in the communion of three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Theologian Colin Gunton suggests that “To be a person is to be made in the image of God: that is the heart of the matter. If God is a communion of persons inseparably related then… it is in our relatedness to others that our being humans consists.” At the very core of our existence is a need to connect. As I reflected on the events of Passion week recently, I was struck with how Jesus’ most painful time leading up to His death was when his disciples could not stay awake and “keep watch” with Him (Mark 14:32-42). In fact, “he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood” (Luke 22:44). Any difficulty we experience, becomes a much heavier burden if we do not have someone to share it with. During these strange times we need each other more than ever. First of all, connect with your Savior! And then find creative ways to provide encouragement and connect with others who are physically near and far from you. And then we can truly say that “we will get through this together.” I leave you with this prayer that Jesus prayed for you many years ago as He was talking to the Father: “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one — as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” (John 17:21)
-Pastor Jay
