PBPC Daily - Monday, April 27

Good morning and welcome to Monday. 

Six weeks ago today the order was issued for Bay Area counties to begin sheltering in place. It has been this long since most of us have seen each other face to face. I miss you! Each of us has had to learn to adapt in the midst of this crisis. Sheltering in place and social distancing are now everyday aspects of life, and will continue to be so to varying degrees for the foreseeable future.

Our church community has been affected just like everything else. Our sermons are now pre-recorded, our meetings and Bible studies are conducted via Zoom video calls, and I'm spending a lot more time on the computer. We are figuring out how to continue being God's church during this strange season of life. This is ironic, because the word church literally means "gathering" - which is exactly what we are not able to do right now.

But we continue to be the Body of Christ, which is a spiritual reality regardless of our physical limitations. And the words of Hebrews 10:23-25 apply to us now as much as ever:

²³Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. ²⁴And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Christian life is not intended by God to be a solitary endeavor, but rather it is to be lived out in community. We are in this together - not only this crisis, but the entire spiritual journey of our lives. Therefore, it is important that we continue to "meet together" so that we can encourage one another and kindle the hope we share in Christ.

How can you continue to meet and connect with Christ's church? Perhaps through joining in a virtual worship service or participating in a group Bible study or prayer time online. Or there is the good old telephone, which can serve as a one-on-one connection and lifeline now more than ever. Whatever it is, I encourage you to take the initiative and connect with at least one Christian friend this week and thereby stay connected to the whole Body.

^'For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.' - Matthew 18:20

Have a blessed day,

Pastor Chris