“And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.” – 1 Chronicles 28:20
I haven’t really given a lot of thought about returning to church except that I can hardly wait to do it! Yesterday, my pastor talked about how church would be different when we return, and I admit I was a bit puzzled. As I thought more about what he shared, I began to understand. I started to think about the implications of renewing the physical fellowship between members of the church body.
How do we maintain social distancing in the church, yet come together to worship once more? How does the choir assemble in their seats to sing if we are still to be six feet apart? If we pass the offering plate, how would I feel if, after it had been passed to everyone else, I was the last one to receive it? As a Sunday school teacher of little ones, what do I do when they run up and hug me? What happens during the invitation time if I want to go forward, but there are already a dozen people up there? Where do I go to maintain “my space”? How do I keep twenty 5 and 6-year-olds safely apart during AWANA? I guess it will be different!
Change is never easy, but it is often necessary. I don’t have all the answers, but I know who does, and I know I can depend upon God to direct us all. Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” I know that there are always ways to overcome adversity, and it will most certainly will require a positive attitude, a willingness to part of the solution rather than part of the problem, and the belief that God will be with us each step of the way.
When I am finally allowed to return to church, it won’t matter if I have to wear a mask and gloves; it won’t matter if I have to have a lot of space between me and someone else. It won’t matter if I have to take extra care around the children and be a bit more guarded when working in AWANA, and it won’t matter if I have to pray from my pew instead of at the altar. All that will matter is that I am in the house of the Lord once again worshiping with my brothers and sisters in Christ!
As we all work together under our pastor’s leadership, we will find a way to make it happen! I am reminded of what the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” When we return to church, it will be time to be content in whatever we need to do to be there. As God’s people, when we return to our places of worship, our collective testimonies will be our witness to the world that Jesus lives in us! Let our voices be raised together in praise to the Lord as we assemble once more, determined more than ever to be resilient and to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
How will it all work? I don’t know have those answers. I just know that if we trust God and follow His lead, it will work. It always does!
Nothing is impossible when you put your trust in God,
Nothing is impossible when you’re trusting in his word;
Hearken to the voice of God to thee,
“Is there anything too hard to me?”
Then put your trust in God alone and rest upon his word,
For ev’rything, O ev’rything!
Yes ev’rything is possible with God!
(from “Nothing is Impossible” by Eugene Clark)
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10
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Can’t wait to see y’all!