Connected and Compassionate

After many discussions, we decided to team up to post some encouraging words from Balance. Reflecting back to our New Year's post, we shared the statistic that 1 in 3 people report not having engaged with others on a social level more than once in the past month. The HRSA has published concerns labeling the “loneliness epidemic” detrimental to health resulting in higher mortality rate with an increase in disease and stroke. 

That was three months ago and now we find ourselves in circumstances that could potentially further push us away from each other into isolation. What happens around us isn’t always under our control, but how we react will define us as individuals and eventually a society.

This week, while running errands, Kim saw a familiar face and did what she normally does and attempted a friendly hug. To her surprise, that person resisted, pushed back, then took a step back. This awkward moment speaks volumes about our situation as a society and how current events will affect the already growing social isolation epidemic.

Our society takes pride in independence and self-sufficiency.  This year, however, we have felt a vision and calling toward reviving relationships and connectedness.  In addition to Balance Ministries adopting a RELATIONSHIP REVIVAL theme for 2020, we have seen many other individuals, ministries, and churches post or speak on similar topics over the past few months. The Holy Spirit has been for some time weaving all of these themes encouraging connectedness and community. 
Maybe… just maybe for the moments that suddenly we are isolated?

In less than a 48 hour period the NBA paused it’s season, other sporting events chose to continue but without fan attendance, Disneyworld and Disneyland closed, colleges moved to distance education for the foreseeable future, all K-12 schools in Virginia closed for 2 weeks, restaurants are promoting “contactless delivery”, and Victoria’s Secret has figured out how to find you a good fit without personal contact. Many churches have opted to just broadcast online services while some still have open doors but promoting a no-contact service with no fellowship time. All of these things have the potential to, at least for a time, separate us and leave lasting effects on our culture and economy.

On the flip side we have seen an outpouring of individuals and groups offering to deliver food to anyone in need, babysit, or tutor.  We have seen an increase of encouraging posts about God’s plan for hope and not living in fear. Today has been declared a National Day of Prayer.  We have seen nurses post about illnesses they have come into contact with for years, but yet they keep moving forward and caring for others.

There is a balance between taking precautions and completely isolating ourselves in panic mode. We need to be smart and follow suggestions by those smarter than us of course, but also know the dangers of social isolation and loneliness for our own mental health. The instinct can be to protect ourselves, to isolate, to hide, and to be fearful about things we only have only a minor amount of control over. Staying in a healthy place mentally and spiritually requires focusing on trusting God, filtering thoughts through God’s word, praying, and relying upon the Holy Spirit for discernment. Worrying excessively and acting irrationally drowns out the faith factor.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  1st Peter 5:7

During any kind of crisis, it is important that we find ways to still connect with those inside and outside our four walls. We have all heard stories over the years about how one phone call or knock at the door was life changing for someone in a desperate place.

The New Testament is loaded with examples of the personal and intimate nature of ministry. Jesus and his disciples traveled, healed the sick, and simply related with people on a personal level.  Jesus could have simply healed others by simply speaking it, but he and his disciples engaged on a personal level. He laid his hands on people, touched their eyes and ears, and entered their space.  He connected with the people that were desperate, alone, and cast aside by society. He is described as being “moved with compassion”. 

Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed him.  Matthew 20:34.

When we do that extra thing, go that extra mile, and just knock it out of the park in fellowship with each other regret will not find a home.  We just might find some awesome blessings and provisions along the way.  

C.S. Lewis wrote about his perspective during the atomic bomb scare in 1948. These wise words can be applied today.

“This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.”

We encourage you to remain steady, focus on truth, and find someone who needs your help. Find sensible ways to stay connected with each other in the midst of this time when everything screams “Stay away”.

Kim Carroll and Heather Lynch