3 Ways to Stay Connected While In Isolation
3 Ways To Stay Connected While In Isolation
By Chris Stevenson
Crazy times we are currently living in. Covid-19 has led to an influx of panic, anxiety and fear as people lose their incomes, as people get sick...as people die. It’s a scary time and we don’t know how long it’s going to last for. So, before I write this blog post – If you are not doing ok. If you are struggling mentally, emotionally, spiritually, do not stay silent. Please reach out. Even as restrictions get tighter and are forcing us to isolate more and more it is now more important than ever to stay connected.
(If you need help in any way or, to talk to someone email Ps. Rob: rob@epicentrechurch.com.au)
Even if you are OK at the moment, maintaining connection, maintaining community is still vital so on that I would encourage and challenge everyone to do three things.
1. Find at least one person you are going to commit to checking up on. Whether that’s by call, SMS, email it doesn’t matter as long as it is regular.
2. Find somebody different (You can’t use the same person) that you are going to ask to check in on you.
3. Be honest with the person that is checking on you. If you are struggling, let them know. If you need support, let them know.
If we can all do these things then we will be able to help maintain community, we will be able to help with that feeling of isolation, we will be able to support those who need support.
Now, when it comes to how we respond to Covid-19 I’ve seen multiple views from multiple churches. I’ve seen those claiming that if we pray enough, if we have enough faith then Christians won’t get infected…and I’ve seen the opposite view that there is no hope no matter what steps we take. A quote I heard the other night was ‘Faith and wisdom don’t have to be enemies’. We can maintain faith and belief in God’s greater plan while still using wisdom to make smart decisions.
Martin Luther while confronting the bubonic plague wrote this…
“YOU OUGHT TO THINK THIS WAY: ‘VERY WELL, BY GOD’S DECREE, THE ENEMY HAS SENT US POISON AND DEADLY OFFAL. THEREFORE, I SHALL ASK GOD MERCIFULLY TO PROTECT US. THEN I SHALL FUMIGATE, HELP PURIFY THE AIR, ADMINISTER MEDICINE AND TAKE IT. I SHALL AVOID PLACES AND PERSONS WHERE MY PRESENCE IS NOT NEEDED IN ORDER NOT TO BECOME CONTAMINATED AND THUS PERCHANCE INFECT AND POLLUTE OTHERS, AND SO CAUSE THEIR DEATH AS A RESULT OF MY NEGLIGENCE. IF GOD SHOULD WISH TO TAKE ME, HE WILL SURELY FIND ME AND I HAVE DONE WHAT HE HAS EXPECTED OF ME AND SO I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR EITHER MY OWN DEATH OR THE DEATH OF OTHERS. IF MY NEIGHBOR NEEDS ME, HOWEVER, I SHALL NOT AVOID PLACE OR PERSON, BUT WILL GO FREELY.’”[1]
Luther is uniting his faith with medical wisdom. Combining prayer for protection with a common sense approach to limiting exposure to disease. Luther didn’t have access to skype or face time, we are fortunate that we can avoid places and people while still staying in communication with them. Social distancing does not need to lead to disconnection. I don’t know what the next day, week or month is going to bring…what I do know is that the way through this is to stay in touch, to stay connected, to stay in prayer.
Stay safe, and stay connected.
[1] https://blogs.lcms.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Plague-blogLW.pdf