Be benefitted by us

I love the prayer book, Valley of Vision. It has become one of the mainstays beside my big black Bible. Today’s reading reminded us who God is and what we are to become. “We depend upon his death, rest in his righteousness, desire to bear his image.”

At the end of the reading it gives this challenge.

“Let us as Christians fill our various situations in life, escape the snares to which they expose us, discharge the duties that arise from our circumstances, enjoy with moderation their advantages, improves with diligence their usefulness, and may every place and company we are in be benefitted by us.”

Let me paraphrase to meet 2020 head on.

“Let us as  Christians live where we are, be wise in the virus warnings, be aware who needs our assistance around us, use this time to chill, refresh and renew our relationship with you, spend time listening (phones can be talked on not just texted) and may we be have eyes in back of our heads to see the situations around us and know what we can do so when we walk out the door (Figuratively), someone has been blessed by our being there by either our words, our kindness, our gifts or our prayers.”

I am mailing some care packages today. I will be sending a few cards and making a few more phone calls. People don’t social distance well. Our hearts need that gentle touch that comes from others. So if we can’t literally touch, what’s the next best thing we can do to have “every place and company we are in be benefited by us”?

Romans 1:11-12  “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong- that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”

Now is the time to encourage others. I really miss church. I miss communion. I miss prayer time and the reading of the Scripture. I miss the quiet moments. I miss the walking beside a total stranger knowing they felt they needed to be in church too. I miss the emotional bond that comes from being with a whole bunch of people; together! There is an odd kind of bond which Paul eludes to. There is something about being with other believers that really boosts our hearts.

So find a way to boost without being! Find a way to share without sitting beside. Find a way to give without your hands being the giver. Find a way to lay your hands on and pray without touching the one you are praying for. In this interesting time, social distancing doesn’t mean distancing of the heart.  Go find a way to love someone with the love of Jesus!