Community in Social Distancing

Social distancing. If you haven’t heard this term in in the past month, you’ve probably been living under a rock somewhere. Times have become scary, the news is almost unbearable to watch, and to make matters worse, it can feel like you are all alone, because in some cases, we physically are alone. Our communities cannot connect, we have been asked to distance. And while we all know that we are doing what is best for ourselves and our country physically, mentally we are breaking down.

We can all agree that the season we find ourselves in not only as a country, but globally is grim. But, it reminds us of one simple thing that we should have known all along: We are not in this alone. We are more than just ourselves. Not only are we able to rely on God and cast our cares on Him, we are learning how important community is in this time of isolation. 

    You see, community is not the way of the world. Sure, we constantly force fed images of people laughing with their friends, but what kind of friendships and communities are really being portrayed? Are these communities that are banding together to do life with one another? Or are these communities groups of individuals who believe that they can do everything on their own, but enjoy being around others when it serves them best. 

    In Galatians 6:2, we are told to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” The Lord’s idea of community is when we are able to come alongside each other and be there for one another. Not just when it is fun and convent for us, but when times are tough, and we don’t always want others around. We have been conditioned by the world to believe that we can do things on our own merit, that it can even be considered weak if we do not achieve everything from our own strength. I love the translation from the Message bible of Romans 12:9-10. “Love from the center of who you are:don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who live deeply; practice playing second fiddle.” 

    When we are focused on ourselves and our own success but still seek to build relationships, we build fake communities that oftentimes are not filled with things that please the Lord. How can they be when they are focused on ourselves? But when we focus on God and living life as a community that loves and serves Him, we are able to have true, meaningful relationships. 

But how can I do that in today’s day and age, this new season where going within 6 feet of another person can in some instances be considered life threatening? Well, we are blessed to live in a time where technology is advanced and allows us to connect in ways we never thought we could. We are able to FaceTime, Zoom, text, and call. Something that has really been helping me to cope is being involved in a bible study with friends. Not only are we continuing to connect through FaceTime each week to discuss the material, we also have a group chat that we can connect with each other through the week. Send someone a podcast to chat about, or just reach out to some old friends and ask to schedule a Zoom call. I’ve even been able to check on my grandparents with a surprise FaceTime.

Although the global pandemic has been a scary time for us all, I do think it has made us realize just how important a sense of just how important community is in our lives. I hope that once the world settles and we reach a new normal, we are able to reach out and continue to embrace connection, and stop taking it for granted.