The Virtual Birthday Party!

This past Monday was my nephew Andrew’s 23^rd birthday. With all the social distancing rules in place, we of course couldn’t get together as a family to celebrate with him. That doesn’t mean however, we didn’t get together and celebrate. Rather, about ten of us got online via Zoom and had a virtual birthday celebration!  Kim held up signs that said, “Happy Birthday Andrew” and “We love you!” My sister brought out a cake and we all sang the birthday song and then cheered as Andrew blew out the candles.  And, for the next hour we all chatted, joked, and laughed. Although we couldn’t be together in the same room, it felt good to see each other’s faces and spend at least some virtual time together.  (We joked that it looked like the introduction to the Brady Bunch!)

As you are well aware, this has become our new norm, at least for the time being.  Like many of you, all of my meetings recently have been held online. Although it’s not like being together in the same room, it is good to see each other, be able to talk “face-to-face,” and sense that we are all still connected to one another. Especially, when it comes to family, friends, and to the church, we all need to know that, although we might be physically separated, we are yet relationally and even spiritually connected. I like the way the World Health Organization and some health professionals have recommended using the term, “physical distancing” rather than “social distancing.” After all, just because we cannot be in the same place physically does not mean that we need to live disconnected from one another. 

This was highlighted for me in our church’s 40 Days with Jesus Bible reading plan this morning. Our reading was in John 17 wherein Jesus prays for unity among his followers.  He prayed, “…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you….” (John 17:21- NIV) I don’t believe Jesus envisioned all of his followers in the generations to come living under one roof or always being in the same place at the same time. He knew that one day there would be millions of believers separated from one another by time and distance. Yet, he prayed that we would all “be one.” In other words, he was praying for spiritual and relational intimacy, even when experiencing physical distancing.  

Through all that we’ve experienced over this past month, I’ve come to appreciate the fact that the church of Jesus Christ is so much more than a building or a weekly gathering. As I have watched and experienced firsthand the local body of Christ reaching out to each other and remaining connected to one another in so many different and even creative ways, I’ve realized, maybe more than ever before, what Jesus was praying for when he prayed, “that all of them may be one.”  

I for one have taken up the challenge to not allow the need for physical distancing to cause me to be socially, relationally, or spiritually disconnected from my family, friends, and local church body.  And, I want to encourage you to do the same.  Let’s take up the challenge as given to us by the Apostle Paul, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3 – NIV)

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris

P.S. – Happy Birthday, Andrew! 