Walking out this season requires adjustments, like offering grace and compassion to one another.
Adjustments
Anyone else feeling a bit confined in their new work-from-home space? I’m sharing a cramped cubicle with a co-worker in this one room schoolhouse. We’ve had to make adjustments to make it work. The internet is a bit of a timeshare at the moment. I try to limit my use when my husband needs more bandwidth. Thankfully writing blog posts or book content is mostly done offline.
We’ve also been staying home, only going out when we need groceries. (As I write this, one week has passed since the last trip).
On a walk
Out on a walk, we talked to our neighbors who live across the street – from across the street. Venturing out a bit farther, we came across a young family with kids. When we each steered away from one another and the parents scooted their kids a safe distance away, their children asked why. Then came the age appropriate response about social distancing.
We’re told to practice social distancing to avoid the spread of the virus. For some it’s inconvenient. For others it’s a matter of life and death. How do we bridge the gap between the two?
Where grace steps in
The gap is where grace steps in, when we make a choice to benefit someone else and not ourselves.
Early on it was thought that the virus primarily affected the older generation. Some others figured they could go about their business believing the virus wouldn’t impact them.
Once it was discovered that seemingly healthy people could still transmit the virus, the climate changed. Those not directly in harm’s way could still negatively impact those who are.
Conscious choice
We have to make more conscious choices. Do I act in my own best interest or do I consider the life of another?
By choosing to follow the recommendation of social distancing, we as a community positively affect the outcome of this current situation. We do our part to minimize the spread of the virus.
Those who are healthy muddle through these inconveniences the same as those who are not. No one gets a pass. Instead we all adapt in this new environment so everyone receives the benefit.
Call for compassion
The call is for compassion. Compassion means to suffer with. Compassion for one another means we suffer together in these challenging times – inconvenient for some, life-altering for others – so that all may have a chance at receiving the benefit, life.
Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, reached out to a world in need. In all compassion and humility He stepped in with His very life so that we might have the gift of eternal life.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV
Grace and compassion
Jesus stepped into the gap, through grace, to our benefit and not His own.
In this season, may we remember the grace and compassion Jesus extended to us, and in turn offer grace and compassion to one another.
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8 NIV
Need more encouragement in this season?
I often pray with a prayer team at Pioneer Courthouse Square on Saturday mornings at 7. We met last Saturday and prayed at the top of the amphitheater steps. A garbage truck driver shouted from the curb, “That doesn’t look like six feet away!” We shrugged and huddled closer in the 32-degree chill. Our city needs us. We need one another. I attended church Sunday and we kept 6 feet away from each other. This virus is going to blow over soon. Our agape sweeps through the city with no bounds.
Thank you for faithfully praying for the city, Lynn!