Social Distancing and Drawing Near

Where I live in North Texas, we are a little over three weeks in on enhanced COVID19 precautions like social distancing and sheltering in place.  In just a few weeks time, we have had to radically alter our lives, our jobs, our shopping, our hobbies and pastimes, and our interactions with other people.  As an extrovert who thrives on actual personal interactions with other people and a pastor who loves keeping up with what is happening in the lives of my people, these types of restrictions are a serious bummer!

While I definitely feel it is important for us to observe all of the precautions health organizations are advising us, I think it is also important to remind ourselves that social distancing does not prevent us from "drawing near."  The Bible advises us that if we will draw near to God, he will draw near to us (James 4:8) and that we should not neglect meeting together with other believers so we can encourage each other during difficult times (Hebrews 10:25).

So, I just want to offer a few quick reminders about what social distancing does not mean:

• Not Relational Distancing - Social distancing does not mean relational distancing.  During this season, it is important for you to maintain relational connectedness with people around you.  Even if you cannot have physical interactions with people, it is important that we go the extra mile to invest in our relationships with other people.  Make more phone calls.  Send more emails.  Like and comment more on social media posts.  Talk to your neighbors more as you see them across the street or walking around your neighborhood.  Check in more frequently on friends and family members who are at risk or who may just need more help with navigating life right now.
• Not Emotional Distancing - Now is not the time to withdraw into yourself.  We all wrestle with emotional health issues from time to time.  Right now is a scary time.  There are plenty of anxiety producing things on the news.  Maybe you are feeling grief over the loss of milestone moments in your life or the life of someone you love.  Not being able to get out and do some fun activities may be producing stress in your life.  Perhaps you were not prepared for having kids at home around the clock and having to be a homeschooler.  Your job or financial situation may be putting added stress on you.  There are plenty of things going on right now that can put you in emotional distress.  So, make sure you let others know how you are feeling.  My assistant posted this on FB last week, and I think it is a great way to check in on your friends right now: 

Tamara Baldwin Nalls

April 2 at 6:55 PM · 

Just wanted to check up on everyone.
—————————————————————
MENTAL HEALTH CHECK-IN: I’m 💚💙💛💜🧡❤️🖤today.

💚 I’m doing great
💙 I am okay
💛 I’m okay-ish
💜 Things are tough
🧡 I’m struggling
❤ I’m having a hard time and wouldn’t mind if someone reached out to me
🖤 I’m in a bad place right now

Drop your heart color and let me know how you are doing! You can message if you're not comfortable posting.

This is a repost. Feel free to do it too & find out if anybody in your circle actually needs help badly.

Let’s keep checking in on our family and friends. We’re all in this together! Keep safe!

• Not Spiritual Distancing. Finally, social distancing does not mean spiritual distancing.  You don't have to keep God at a distance right now.  In fact, now is a great time to draw near to God.  Invest in your spiritual life.  Attend an online church service.  Start a Bible reading plan.  Take an online Bible course or Bible study.  Spend more time in prayer.  

So, while we are practicing social distancing, let's make to draw near in three arenas, outward (relationships), inward (emotions), and upward (spiritual life).