23 Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way; 24 though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand. – Psalm 37:23-24
Late Tuesday evening, we got a new message from Bishop Taylor about churches remaining closed. There was nothing that surprised me in the message, and I agree that we must remain socially distant as we watch and see how society will respond in areas that are opening back up this week and next. I think what was most shocking to the soul, is the reality of our continued distance from one another in these steps of re-opening.
The initial call to shut down was 2 weeks, and said that we should be able to worship together again on March 29. By that time, we realized that this virus was not even remotely under control, and the message to close until further notice. The word, indefinitely comes to mind, here. Indefinitely, the inability to give definition, or limit; an unspecified period of time. We are in an indefinite period of change in society.
The truth is, our next steps, not only as individuals, but as the whole of humanity matter right now. The ways in which we do begin to interact, the places we go, and how we act and react will matter greatly as we reengage in society. It’s for this reason, I love the words from the above psalm. For we are a people who know the power of the love of God, and we have decided that our steps, even those we make at this time, are one that will follow Him. We know that God in Jesus has already made a way. We continue to give thanks to God for the people who serve in the medical and scientific world to make sure that as we go back we will be safe. Our job is to listen to them. To follow the steps that are in place, not go headlong. For as we follow the Lord, the psalmist says, we may stumble, but we will not fall headlong. It means that we probably, as a society, are going to make some mistakes, but if we slow down, allow the Lord to be our guide, listen to the people the Lord has given to us, who have knowledge and understanding, the lord will hold us by the hand and lead us back to a society in which we can gather again.
I know it’s hard, and I know that we have learned to adapt to so many new ways of life thus far, yet, I know and I believe, that God is with us in all of this. God is holding us by the hand, day in and day out, God is helping us to have ears to hear what the experts are saying, and I hope and pray we listen. Soon, and very soon, I know that God will lead us to a time to be with one another again, I hold this hope each and every day, for God delights in our ways, especially as we walk in His.
Grace & Peace,
Sam