The Challenge

All of life these days is a challenge.

But here is a new one that came to me in the early hours of this morning after a spectacular first Sunday back together for Sunday services.

Well, back together in quotations, because we still have limitations re: how many people can be in the sanctuary, Commons or parking lot. But still, it was a huge step forward and for that we are certainly grateful.

But this is the challenge in coming back together…to keep the main thing the main thing.

Paul says to the Corinthians. “When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.” (1 Corinthians 14:26)

That is the main thing when we come together.

The challenge, while we are still needing to be careful about the transmission of Covid-19, is that the specter of Covid and the precautions that need to be taken can easily become the main thing.

Here is what I mean.

The rule followers come but are preoccupied with who isn’t wearing a mask or maintaining 6ft of separation or taking 23.5 seconds with the hand sanitizer…and that becomes the focus of their experience in corporate worship.

The rule breakers either don’t come at all in order to make a point about their liberty, or they carry a measure of contempt for those wearing masks…and that becomes their worship experience.

In both examples Covid-19 becomes the main thing and, like the bronze serpent in the wilderness, becomes an object of worship itself.

And in the process the enemy has succeeded in neutralizing the entire purpose of the Body of Christ coming together…to glorify God, be encouraged and built up, encounter God’s transforming presence, and do damage to the kingdom of darkness.

So, let’s be wise to the enemy’s schemes and keep the main thing the main thing.