Change and Truth You Can Believe

Our church is meeting for worship, twice on Sundays, and then on Wednesday evenings now.  At 9 a.m. on Sundays we worship, asking that everyone present wear a mask at all times. Then at 10:30 we again meet, asking that you wear your mask until seated.  We follow that same format on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.  We seek to maintain, “social distancing” at all services. 

            That is a phrase that was foreign to our ears just nine months ago. “Social distancing.”  Who ever thought of such a thing? 

            And what about putting a mask over your face just before you walk in the bank?  Could you have imagined that in a million years?  We laugh, but that’s just to keep from crying.

            I have a book on my shelf entitled, Truth is Stranger Than It Used to Be.  Ain’t that the truth!  Can I be completely honest with you? I want life to be back like it used to be. I want the old normal back.

            But here is a disturbing truth. I don’t think life will ever be that way again.  I think it is quite possible that we will be wearing masks every flu season.  I think that handshakes and hugs, though not fully eliminated, will be much less prevalent as we go forward.  There will be other changes as well.

            Change is inevitable in life. But change is hard.  Change can be bad. But it can be good.  There are aspects of technology that I despise. I have joked that I prefer a laptop computer to a desktop because I get better distance on the laptop when I’m mad. 

            But there are parts of technology that are wonderful. In the midst of this pandemic we have been able to stay in touch, and even to worship together online.  In previous generations this would not have been possible.

            The fact is that God has provided for us in so many ways.  We need to trust Him. He has not abandoned us. He is always there.  Have you experienced His presence? Pick up your Bible and read it. Take time to pray. And get together with other believers to worship, even if you do it on Facebook Live.  You will be reminded of God’s promise to you. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”