For the past 6 months, we’ve been constantly learning and relearning the art of “social distancing.” We survived the more stringent period thanks to video conferencing platforms and social media; and now, we’re learning how to responsibly be with one another again. But throughout this whole ordeal, there have been separations we didn’t imagine we’d feel the loss of – gathering as a church and in our small groups, being able to worship and partake communion together, gathering with extended family, being with our friends, being present to comfort someone, or even being able to travel back home.
Somehow, there is a real distance we feel that our online connectivity can’t bridge; there seems to be a significant difference between just being present and being physically present for someone or something. This made me think of John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
In Sunday school, we kids loved to imagine how much more “believable” Christ would be if He came in a chariot of fire or with a whole army of angels – invincible, blinding everyone with His radiant glory. But instead, He came as a tiny, vulnerable baby. He grew up just like we did – puberty and all. And He suffered just like we did – or rather, suffered pains we may not even get a taste of in our lifetime. He came to be with the people – debate with them, touch them, talk with them, and cry with them.
What I, as a child, once saw as unnecessary, I now see as one of the most beautiful gifts ever. God valued how much physicality mattered to us, and became flesh. Through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, God didn’t just bridge the chasm caused by sin “spiritually”, but He bridged the physical distance with man as well. We marvel and wonder at the fullness of God’s glory more because of Christ’s life on earth – a physical, tangible revelation of God. God became more concrete, more real. And in many ways, we feel His grace and comfort more dearly because of how close He has drawn to us.
I think we do see this manifest in many ways today, with how the “new normal” has changed the dynamics of socializing completely. Though SOPs now allow us to gather together in church, it was quite an experience to need to sit 1 meter apart and to wear masks throughout the service. But there are still many who are not able to be with us because of government restrictions, health concerns, or other reasons. In this window of easier movement, let’s take the initiative to visit them – praying with, encouraging, and exhorting them in the faith. Let’s make all efforts to bridge the distance and physically be present with our friends and family – of course, while responsibly observing social distancing guidelines.
Every moment we can be with other people is now visibly more precious; in some ways, even life-giving. And though I only have a month more to go before I can (hopefully) come to church again, I really can’t wait to be able to worship God and partake of communion together in the same space – remembering Christ who became flesh and dwelt among us.