Help! Love, MOM

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3

There are some realities of post Covid life that I call, “gifts of the Pandemic.”

Here in NYC, prolonged coughing or other forms of visible illness are viewed suspiciously first and sympathetically later.

Figuring out how we interact with one another physically is more normalized. Depending on the social setting a partner and I have inquired about our comfort level to: hug, dap (fist bump), shake hands.

The question, kindly given was gratefully received.

Among what are likely many more society-wide post pandemic changes, another of our stand-outs is our almost universal expectation of a virtual option for, well, virtually every previously only in-person event.

Formerly solely on site events like doctor’s visits, court proceedings, funerals, viewing real estate ie house hunting and many others are, now, routinely streamed online to an expectant audience.

One of those formerly in house only events was Sunday, especially, morning services.

Many if not most churches were caught off-guard regarding how to reach members amid Pandemic-era mandates of social distancing but are, in this post Covid period, fully committed to streaming.

When my home church made the pivot, the main Sunday worship service and all of the midweek gatherings, went online, and have mostly stayed there, with only the hybrid main Sunday service having an in person or virtual option.

However, I miss the fellowship and camaraderie of the Monday night prayer and Wednesday night bible class!

The robust discussions (occasionally debates) in Bible study, the heartfelt crying out to the LORD in prayer meeting; I miss it all.

To be sure, we still have Bible study on Wednesday.

Especially when the weather is bad, I appreciate not having to be out in it. Nevertheless, I both long for and look for in person opportunities to fellowship.

So, whenever my friend’s church, located not far from me, holds their in-person Bible study on Tuesday nights, I attend as often as possible.

It was in one of these Bible studies that her pastor invited commentary from the audience, in house or online, about a point made.

The gentleman who stood up struggled to quote a Bible verse. (I completely felt his pain. Been there many a day.)

Scripture is sufficient in that it is the only inspired, inerrant, and therefore final authority for Christians for faith and godliness, with all other authorities being subservient to Scripture. The Gospel Coalition

This guy often participates in the Bible study discussion. In my hearing he has always spoken from a Bible-based position; he habitually offers feedback firmly tethered to the Bible.

He has many verses memorized securely and fluidly; but not that one and not that night.

Ordinarily, there is a great deal of audience help for you when you reach for a scripture. Nah. A brother was out there on his own this particular night.

After several attempts to mentally pull up the quote failed, the man abruptly sat down.

He did not appear embarrassed but rather that he, unwilling to go out on a branch that the Word of God had not created, simply declined to go further.

Used to people flailing about theologically, I was floored and instructed.

His actions communicated to me that he refused to engage i the discussion in a manner unaligned with and unsubstantiated by the scriptures, rightly applied.

It appears then that, according to Deut 8:3, when I fumble for a scripture it is to be a humbling event:

• sent by God,
• to send me back to the scriptures,
• my prayer closet, and
• to the discipline of scripture memorization,
• so that I can be a more effective, Holy Spirit enabled, well prepared witness for my LORD.

Unless what you and I have to say is lovingly based on the rightly interpreted word of God, enabled to speak by the Holy Spirit’s power, seated may be the best.

Stand on the Word or stay seated. I pray that I remember my brother’s example.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Blessings,

Kimberly