Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“This is the reason that I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, with no further place for me in these regions, I desire, as I have for many years, to come to you when I go to Spain. For I do hope to see you on my journey and to be sent on by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a little while.”
NL Daily Devotion for Saturday, July 18, 2020
by R. Fergus Moir, Clergy Stuff
It’s weird that being stuck at home during COVID-19 has re-connected me to so many people. College friends, childhood friends, more recent friends I’ve been out of touch with. Honestly, there was no reason we couldn’t have gotten together by phone or videoconference years ago and/or on a regular basis. But life gets away from you until you’re forced to slow down and figure out how much you need other people.
Paul had been awfully busy proclaiming the gospel, so he hadn’t quite made it to Rome yet, even though he knew of the growing Christian community there. He didn’t have Zoom, so he wrote them a letter, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted to get there. See and talk to and embrace the people. Paul understood the importance of connection, the truth that God created us to be in community with one another as human beings and as the universal body of Christ.
I am left to wonder if, when the pandemic recedes (which may be a year of more from now), I’ll forget just how much this situation reminded me how critical these connections are, if I’ll neglect to keep up the conversations, keep in touch. I hope instead that I’ll take the opportunity to actually visit in person with those folks, so that “by God’ will I may come to [them] with joy and be refreshed in [their] company.” (Rom 15:32)
Gracious God, remind me each day of the many people who are dear to me, near and far. Amen.
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