Prayerfully consider something with me: consider having someone over.
We see the COVID numbers going up again and it looks like the time in which we have to shelter-in-place is extending. All of us are weary of thinking about the virus, being vigilant to wear a mask and wash our hands, and wondering when we might get to some sort of "normal."
I am feeling it now as much as I ever have.
Though we want to listen to their counsel, we didn't pause meeting together solely because our governors mandated it. The real reason is because we are following Jesus and trusting in his command to "love [our] neighbors as ourselves." At the end of all of this, what will matter is how our lives answered the question: "did we express how we treasure Jesus by trusting his wisdom and loving those around us?"
With that being said, following the guidelines of the authorities the Lord has put in place to govern us, there is room to gather in small groups-in person.
So, for our Sunday-night gathering (and for any day of the week gathering) prayerfully consider meeting in small groups. Start slow. Be wise.
There is faith-filled caution. You can act in faith and still not choose to meet in person with others. No one will think less of you in whatever you choose to do. None of us has ever had to live through times like these before. We are all novices and all growing through it.
We were made in God's image to be in relationship with others. We need each other. We were made for soul-enriching, heart-shaping, gospel-saturated community created and sustained by the Spirit of God. On this July 4th, we celebrate not only our freedom to be independent from unjust tyranny, but the freedom in interdependence in relationship with one another.
Prayerfully consider inviting someone over. In all that you do, do it in love. In all that you do, do it in confidence in the heart of our God who wants to draw you more and more into relationship with himself.
You are the Beloved.