It’s Sunday as I sit here writing this.
What a week it’s been.
I can’t be the only person thinking that, either.
It. Has. Been. A. Week.
I’d loop you in on all the crazy that’s happening in my life at the moment, but that’s not the point of this post. We each have our own kind of crazy to deal with, right? Whether it’s work, family, health, or trying to find toilet paper. (I finally mail-ordered mine. Hopefully it arrives by the time this post goes live because as the sole female in my household, I take the toilet paper situation seriously, and we are dangerously low.)
Regardless of what’s happening in your life right now, though, we all have to deal with a degree of chaos and crazy every single day. I’m not sure if the current national health situation makes the crazy worse or if just shines a light on the things that already stress us out and make us feel like we’re in one of those giant machines that crushes cars like they’re silicon straws. Let’s be honest here. Hard times tend to bring out the best in us…and the worst. That makes this a great time to extend grace to one another. Hopefully we’re already in the practice of doing that. It’s easier to show grace to someone who is at their worst if you’ve already established the habit of grace.
In some states right now, it is illegal to gather together in large groups. This affects schools. That’s a no-brainer. It affects churches, too, though.
I understand the reasoning. Keeping large gatherings to a minimum may help slow the spread of COVID-19. I get it. I don’t even think that precautionary measures are wrong. It breaks my heart a little bit, though, that we are being told that in order to protect each other, we cannot do something that God commands us to do. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together” (Hebrews 10:24-25a). Again, I’m not saying that I disagree with the limits placed on large gatherings. I’m just saying that it makes me sad.
The laws limiting large gatherings hadn’t gone into effect in our state yet, and our church had opted to meet for Sunday service. We also live-streamed, though, for those church members who did not feel comfortable attending. This was the first time we had ever live-streamed, and it was a little stressful. I was on the team working on the technology and pulling it all together. Even though we’d had practice runs this past week and I knew what to do, when it came time to set up this morning, I couldn’t figure out how to extend the legs on my tripod – something I had done earlier this week with no problem. I was a teeny, tiny bit of a nervous wreck.
Sometimes life is like a pressure cooker, and we’re all holding onto our lids for dear life as things churn and bubble inside of us.
After the tripod incident, I went off and found an empty room so I could sit down, take a few deep breaths, and pray. I don’t know how long I sat there, but I prayed, and I prayed, and I prayed.
Then I went and got back to work.
There was this huge weight of responsibility on my shoulders, and I felt inadequate to that weight. I’m relatively decent at techie stuff, but it’s not my profession. I’m not a photographer or videographer. I had never streamed anything before. It was kind of like flying with a wing and a prayer…but without any wings.
That’s the crux of it, though.
In our weakness, God’s power is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9-11). The Greek word that we translate as “perfect” is teleitai, and it doesn’t quite mean perfect – at least not in the way modern Americans use that word. It means completed, fulfilled, accomplished. It means that God is glorified when we stop trying to do things in our own power, admit how very weak we are, and let Him – in all this strength and power – carry us. God is glorified when we step aside and let Him do the heavy lifting.
It took a few quiet minutes of prayer hidden away in a quiet room with a copy machine to remind me that I wasn’t in charge…and that God had my back. If something went wrong with the technology, it wasn’t on me. It was under His control, in His power. I had done everything I could, but the whole service from beginning to end rested in the palm of God’s hands, and I could absolutely trust Him to know what was best and to see that His will was accomplished.
Which brings me back to grace. The pressure I felt this morning was an itsy, bitsy little microcosm of what our church leaders are dealing with right now. I can’t fathom the challenges they are facing as they determine how best to both serve and protect their congregations. They might occasionally make choices you don’t agree with, but they make those choices out of love for their flocks. Whether your church chooses to continue meeting, suspend services, or do something else entirely – I urge all of you to treat your church leaders with grace. Show them love. Support them. Encourage them. Pray for them.
Hugs to you from someone who now kinda-sorta knows how to live stream. I’m praying for you as you give grace to others while walking through the crazy and the chaotic that is this life.
Hugs!
(And I had to mail-order tp as well.)
Thanks for this reminder! It’s very needed right now.
Great reminder! It’s actually what I keep telling myself: relax…God is in control!! I tell myself that quite frequently, and not just with this coronavirus! Thankfully, our church has livestreamed for quite awhile, and broadcasted over a radio station, so I can listen and watch. My poor Mom, on the other hand, doesn’t hear well, so she’ll be watching a broadcast from a church in Orlando.
Our small country church is on a steep learning curve, too. We don’t (yet) have the ability to livestream, but we’re doing what we can! A crazy week, indeed.
I’m choosing, today, to put my focus back on Jesus and banish the very real fears. From Philippians 4: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. …. And the God of peace will be with you.
Such a good post! Thank you for the reminder!
Crazy, whatever form it comes in, seems to be God’s way of keeping the kids in touch. The more we grow, the more we discover that there is more to grow into. I think the people who fascinate me the most are the ones who balance the two thoughts. They have so much life experience and skill and yet they have a humility about learning that is so endearing (like someone who shares about praying in the copier room :)). And all the while, the heavenly Father is smiling at His children learning new things and loving each other.
Thanks, I needed this. As to church, while I know I could watch “other” churches online – it was amazingly comforting that my church has started recording and posting its services – seeing the familiar place and hearing our pastors’ voices.
We too are a small and mostly elderly church but we only have around 30ish coming each week and we know a few have been ordered to self isolate . I help do volunteer work at the church and yesterday we were looking at things. (like a newsletter will either be sent via email or mail to people not coming) Asked to spread out in the church with an empty pew between rows to restrict the touching of the communion try to only the helpers. Hand sanitiser etc. The pastor is looking at if needed using youtube for some sermons. We will continue to do newsletters and updates every Sunday and then if not physical church send them out as mentioned above. (I figure even if I had to self isolate I should be able to ride about 2 mins to the mail box to post and back cos I don’t have contact with anyone or anything that it would affect).
(Yes I have toilet paper and cat food)
Here in Australia we have Songs of Praise from England on a Sunday. I watched it when I was sick recently and the singing really is uplifting. Even if your church doesn’t have a way to stream a service there is always alternatives. There are often other church services on tv (although you may want check out which ones you actually would watch). Also most of us have worship music we could listen too and there are lots of good devotional books to buy or even online devotions so we can still worship. A friend has had to isolate for a different reason made a comment this is a time to grow in our Christian walk as we learn to put our trust fully in God.
Ha! It finally arrived, too – and just in the nick of time! :-)
Thank you for stopping by today Jessica!
God is bigger than anything we could ever possibly come up against. It’s a good thing to meditate on every now and then, especially in times like these. I hope your mom enjoys the Orlando service!
Amen!!
Yay for toilet paper and cat food! :-)
I think one of the dangers that face close-knit churches right now is the fracturing that can occur within the church family when they stop coming together. God tells us not to forsake gathering together for a reason. (Probably several reasons, if I’m being realistic.) When we reach a point where we can’t come together as the body of Christ, I think we become weaker and more vulnerable as individuals in Christ. Our faith family strengthens us, comforts us, encourages us, challenges us, and loves us. We’re not meant to live the Christian life alone or in isolation. We’re meant to live it in community.
Sorry! I apparently feel a bit stronger about this than I first realized. ^_^ In any event – I’m glad that your church has plans to continue reaching out to each other and staying united even if you have to be temporarily separated.
Hugs!
I’m glad you could visit today Megan!
So beautifully said! I couldn’t agree more Lincoln – thank you for sharing!
Yes! The familiar brings us comfort, especially when that familiar is coupled with the comfort that comes only from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 comes to mind – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” I know the word comfort is in there a lot – my editor would hate that – but when I meditate on those words, I can’t help but feel peace growing inside me.
Hugs to you as you navigate this tricky time.
Yes! For the unbeliever, this might be a time of anxiety or fear. For the Christian, though, this should be a time of growth, of stretching our faith, and of building up our trust by God’s grace. That doesn’t mean we’re immune to the physical or economic conditions. That’s not a guarantee that we won’t lose jobs or see loved ones fall ill. As Christians, though, we know who holds our every tomorrow in the palm of His hand, and we should have peace and contentment in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty swirling around us.
Thank you for sharing your (pastoral staff) perspective. Yikes! The quiet story behind the seemingly flawless end result. <3. I am 100% technology challenged, so my heart goes out to anyone suddenly tasked with that job.
I wasn’t able to catch our church’s podcast but my boss posted her church’s service on fb so I used the opportunity to become a little acquainted with her typical service. Perhaps some who would never find themselves in an actual service will “Click” on someone’s shared podcast in the days ahead. He uses all things for good & is never caught off-guard. <3
Absolutely! We live streamed an evening class earlier this week, and we had people joining online that never could have made it (because of traffic & other reasons) to the regular class. It was fabulous, and it got me to thinking about how some people who aren’t comfortable “going to church” might be comfortable watching online. We can view this is an opportunity for those people to watch and get comfortable so that when this current crisis passes, their comfort level will be high enough that walking through the doors of a church won’t seem quite so intimidating or strange to them.
I’m glad you got to watch your boss’s service! Finding common ground with our fellow believers is always a plus! Being exposed to the way other churches do things is good for us, too. It makes us stop to think about why we do certain things – is it because of tradition, preference, or because Scripture says to do it a certain way? None of those are necessarily wrong answers (and, obviously, “because the Bible says so” is always a right answer!), but I think it’s good for us to understand why we care so deeply about the way that we do things in our own local churches.
I’m sad that our church has now cancelled services. Hugs
Agreed. Visiting other churches can be an eye opener for the reasons you just stated.
Our church had glitches trying to go online.
everything is changing so much I think this Sunday will be the last service for awhile. Our pastor is looking at using you tube. (which is fine if your connection is good). But we will have a newssheet and info every week. I do that. The secretary will send the emails and I will post the letters. (I am about 3 mins by push bike from the letterbox and its not like I will be in contact with anyone).
My biggest hurdle is getting a few bulky items (like kitty litter).
All I can think about today is my son turning 30! Unfortunately a celebration will have to wait until California returns to “normal”. Stay safe!
((Hugs)) Thank you so much for the reminder! 🙂💕
Thank you for such a timely and reassuring post. I’m about to attend my first streamed … in my pajamas … church service this morning!