Reconnecting After Pandemic
A year ago, our staff met to outline our plan-of-caring for the COVID crisis. At the time, we thought that it would only last a matter of weeks – maybe to Mother’s Day. The three questions that framed our discussion were, “How do we stay connected?” “How do we worship?” “Who can we serve?”
Over the past year, those have been the questions that have dominated our discussions. Now, we are headed towards a more “normal” outlook. There will be a temptation to push for doing a lot, because we have not been able to do much over the past year. I know I am looking forward to hanging out in people’s homes again, as well as having meals with people. I have missed that connection.
However, before we rush back to “normal,” let us reflect and discern with the Lord. Let us ask a different question, “Is there any part of ‘normal’ that was not working for us?” If so, what do we need to change?
As I asked myself that question, I thought about digital connection. In some ways, digital connection through applications like Facebook or Instagram are incredible. I see inspiring quotes, read interesting articles, and of course watch old wrestling videos (the algorithm knows me well). However, one of the temptations I have is to get lost in digital connection over human connection. That does not work for me anymore. In my life, I feel like I have taken for granted the power of human connection.
Obviously, God wired us for connection. I believe it is part of the Imago Dei in each one of us. God is, of course, a Trinity – Father, Son, Holy Spirit. The best definition of the Trinity I’ve ever heard is that God is a community of love. God is relational in God’s very being. If we are, then, made in God’s image, God has wired us for connected, loving relationships.
No wonder the earliest church was constantly meeting in homes, breaking bread together, and were exhorted to not neglect the gathering together. I know that I will never again take for granted the connection with people, knowing that when I connect with people, I am reflecting the image of God in the world.