III John Chapter 1

“Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.”
III John 1:8, NASB
 
A Prayer Over Our Children
Lord, I pray that my child will be blessed with good health and that things may go well with her. May You keep her walking in Your truth while You make her faithful in love to her fellow brethren. Oh God, bless her with a spirit of hospitality so that she can work together for Your Truth. Help her, I plead, to be an imitator of what is good that she may be filled with peace and joy.
 
Separated yet Connected
 
     It was Sunday and cars dotted the parking lot. Some engines idled others were turned off. Different sizes, colors, makes, and models all lined up in rows behind the church. Within each vehicle contained a varied number of individuals ranging from old to young. Yet, regardless of the multiple variations, one thing remained constant. No one got out of their vehicles.
     Not one arm hung out of a window. Not one head poked through a sunroof. Even the exchange of words or conversation between vehicles did not occur. Windows were tightly sealed, and car doors remained firmly closed. With one vacant car space left between vehicles, social distancing was vigilantly enforced.
     On the roof of the building, stood a man. He wore a vest and was suited up with a microphone. Three 

additional men joined him. One held a camera, one played the keyboard, and yet another played the guitar. Still, another figure joined the men on the rooftop. A woman. She stood with the men, her voice lending harmony to the music. We were having a “drive in” church service.
     Each car’s radio tuned into the low frequency airwaves. Within each metal contraption on wheels, a private church service unfolded which exactly paralleled the ones in the cars surrounding it. Voices raised in praise, fingers turned or scrolled to Bible passages, and ears strained to hear. As we all worshipped in our individual spaces, I was struck by the phenomena unfolding before my eyes. Although very much separated by grass, air, space, metal, plastic, and glass, we were still together. We were still connected.
     The irony of this truth was not lost upon me. Hands could not be shaking, hugs could not be given, nor pats on the back or a slap on the shoulder bestowed. Yet, while gathered individually to worship in our personal vehicles, we still congregated together. Whether tucked away in our mobile metal frames or watching from the privacy of our homes, we worshiped as one. We united our hearts, minds, and spirits in praise, petition, and prayer to the Lord. We were connected by the strength of God’s Word, the love of the Father, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
     It mattered not whether we could smell the perfume of the one sitting beside us or whether we were close enough to spy morning breakfast still evidenced on faces or clothes. It mattered not whether we were close enough to admire the jewelry or shoes sported by an individual. It did not even matter that whispers, whines, or rustling of little children could no longer distract us. What mattered is that we were joined together through the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We were separate yet still connected. We were one in the body of Christ.
     This idea of being separate yet still connected as the body of Christ continues to come forefront and center. One night we worshiped live with Michael W. Smith via online streaming. As my daughter, husband, and I lifted our voices up in worship with the artist, I was struck by a startling thought. At that very moment in that very same second, our voices and spirits were joining together with others all over the world. Even though my family sat isolated within our home as did thousands of other people, we were still bound together by cords which could not be broken. We were bound together by love. We were bound together by the Holy Spirit. We were bound together as the people of God.
      This concept of separateness yet togetherness in the body of Christ has impacted me like nothing else. For although we sit in our own living rooms with our doors closed, we are being united together in worship through prayer and praise whether we gather for church in our cars at the drive in or whether we congregate online. And although walls, houses, space, and miles separate us all from each other, the Holy Spirit binds us together through love, praise, worship, and prayer.
     Just like millions of Christians around the world joined in a 3-day Esther fast to plead for God’s intervention, we have been bound together as one body in ways we have never experienced before. Whether we are being bound together as a family unit due to everyone staying home from school and work closures, whether fellow Christ followers are tuning into online concerts by Christian artists who ordinarily would not be worshiping together due to proximity and location, or whether we are connected with our local church body from daily live FB chats, during this time of sheltering in place, we are being connected with each other like never before.
     Even beyond the new ways the body of Christ is being connected, my mind is blown away by the purpose and focus of which draws us together. We are coming together to worship God, to seek Him, cry out to Him, and encourage one another with a greater intentionality. Across the world, we are being drawn together with the sole focus of God.
     When I think that that millions of Christians could be all watching the same online worship jam and be praising simultaneously around the world together at the very same time, goosebumps pop out all over my skin. Oh, that we can be crying out in one voice, worshiping God with one voice, and seeking His favor as one people brings me to a place of worship of which I have never been. It is true that these have been unprecedented times with the sweeping national and global impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Yet, these have been unprecedented times, indeed, for how this crisis has united and bound Christians together around the world.
     Yes, many of us face real issues and concerns due to this pandemic. Countless numbers are wondering where our next paycheck will come from. How will we pay bills and place food on our tables now that our place of employment is shut down? With the schools closed and daycare centers closed or maxed due to state restrictions, some of us are wondering how we will be able to go to work. Many have even contracted the virus and are fighting for their lives.  Thousands around the world have already died. These are serious and sobering times.
     Yet, not to make light of these hard realities, I cannot help but see God working amidst it all. For let us be reminded we serve a God who can use all things for His good and for the good of those whom He loves. In our predicament of sheltering in place and orders to stay at home, we have been forced to slow down. Our routines have been radically altered and we can no longer sprint at the speed of light. Many of us have been slowed to a snail’s crawl to that of even being still. Yet, in the act of stillness itself, we can encounter a far greater joy. We can be still and know God.
     Is it a bad thing that we are now literally forced to slow down? Is it a bad thing to be placed in a position where we are purposefully and intentionally seeking God out like never before? Is it a bad thing that due to the Internet and technology, we are one concentrated body joined together across the world who can worship as one people and one voice?
     My point is simple. Although space and social distancing may physically separate us, we are not alone. We are bound together as the body of Christ. More importantly, we cannot be separated from the love of God. Our sin can’t separate us, our past can’t separate us, our shame can’t separate us, our guilt can’t separate us. Likewise, for that matter, building walls cannot separate us, cars cannot separate us, social distancing cannot separate us, air, water, land, and space cannot separate us, and COVID-19 cannot separate us. We are God’s church. We are God’s people. We are one.
 
"Bind Us Together Lord" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRwfTS_Ne0o
Matthew West - The God Who Stays - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHMVSdIjBcg
 
A Parent’s Prayer
Oh God, fill me with Your presence and draw me close. Topple down the walls of isolation and join me together in Spirit with Your body and Your church. Lift up my soul, oh God, and help me to see You. Bind me together with chords of love that cannot be broken. Amen.
​