“I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to make you strong – that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” (Romans 1:11-12 NIV)
Have you ever noticed how the Apostle Paul was always longing to be with people? Pay attention as you read his New Testament letters:
“I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea.”
(2 Corinthians 1:16 NIV)
“God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:8 NIV)
“But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought) out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.” (1 Thessalonians 2:17 NIV)
“Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.”
(2 Timothy 1:4 NIV)
Reading the New Testament throughout a pandemic has made me realize that Apostle Paul suffered from social distancing long before coronavirus made it a cultural phenomenon. Paul was continually forging new friendships – establishing soul connections – and then moving on to the next place. He left a little bit of his heart behind each and every time.
Paul had deep affection for the local church. He loved God’s people, yet he spent most of his post-conversion life on the road, hoofing it from church plant to church plant. I suspect the missions field to be a lonely place. Missionaries birthing new believers only to leave them growing up with a foster parent pastor, then moving on to the next community and bearing down again.
I note that Jesus employed a similar process in His earthly ministry. His sandals never stood in one place too long. Anytime He became too famous, He slipped away.
“Simon and his companions went to look for Him and when they found Him they exclaimed, “Everyone is looking for You!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else – to the villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” (Mark 1:36-38 NIV)
It wasn’t that Jesus or Paul were anti-relationship. Quite the opposite, really. They were mission-focused and the mission was making disciples. Once folks were on a solid enough footing in their faith, the disciple-makers were off to the next place and the next people group.
Jesus and Paul both seemed to be on some unseen but all-important schedule. They understood the limitations of their earthly existence. They were willing to put off personal longing for the sake of the Kingdom. It’s as thought they knew that there would be plenty of time for fellowship in the next life.
Lack of fellowship has been one of the hardships for many of us in this pandemic. My friends are scattered all over the globe. Like Paul, I write notes, expressing my gratitude, prayers and longing to reconnect in person. Sometimes I forget that we’ll have all of heaven to play catch up.
“…will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17 NIV)
Until then, I must stay focused on the mission. The sands in my hourglass keep pace; there is an expiration date on a divine calendar and when my time is up, my opportunity to participate in the most critical assignment on earth will be over. Until then, as much as I miss people and long to reconnect, I must keep my eyes on the divine objective.
Longing is part of living. There will always be some measure of not-quite-right in this life. That not-quite-right serves us well, reminds us that we were created for something more: eternity in right relationship with our Creator. Paul and Jesus harnessed their not-quite-right and let it pull them in the direction of divine objective. They each lived and died entirely focused on an upstairs agenda: trusting that heaven would have time enough for the deep and delightful relationships they longed for.
If you’re anything like me, you are weary of the way the pandemic has affected your long distance relationships. Perhaps today’s scriptures can reframe your suffering. Refocus again on the Great Commission. Recognize that the time for lingering with loved ones is still forth-coming. Realign your transient tissue to the Kingdom objective. Go ahead and write some letters, but keep your eyes on the prize of emptying hell and filling up heaven.
Lord, please help us when we feel lonely or disconnected. Remind us that this life is not-quite-right on purpose. Re-establish Your mission in our hearts and minds. Help us spend our days on earth with divine focus. Let us enthusiastically participate in the upstairs agenda until we get the job done. Amen.