The Worst Kind of Distancing
When I first heard the term “social distancing,” I really didn’t understand what was meant. Now, after a year or so, I understand what is meant. I also understand the reason for suggesting (or mandating) its practice.
The fact that I understand the term and the practice does not mean, however, that I like it. I like to interact with people in person. I like handshakes, hugs, and even an occasional pat on the back. I like it when I can actually communicate when I can see facial expressions, “body language,” etc.
I honestly believe that God intended for us to be social creatures. I understand that the observation that “…It is not good that the man should be alone…” (Gen. 2:18) applied to Adam and his need for a companion. At the same time, I believe that it can be demonstrated from the Bible, as well as our own experiences, that we do better when there is a sense of community and fellowship. That, in part, is what should make us thankful for the church.
As I began to write this post, I thought about people who have chosen a lifestyle that I suppose could be described as “self-imposed social distancing.” I do not have in mind those people who, possibly because of health or other reasons, cannot be around others. It might not be safe for others or for themselves if they were to personally interact with other members of their families or society.
The people I’m thinking about are those who have apparently chosen a life of isolation from others. These are people whose health would allow them to “be out and around,” who have chosen to lock their doors, close their blinds, and draw their drapes. Other than an occasional appointment of some type and a possible phone call from time to time, most of their “interaction” is with a screen.
As I thought about these people and about how sad I think that their situation is, my thoughts turned to what I thought was the worst kind of social distancing. While it is, at least to me, very sad that some people choose to live a life of isolation from others, almost immediately my mind dropped one word that changed my thinking altogether. The word I dropped was “social.”
When I dropped that word, I began to think about another kind of distancing that is much more serious than any form of social distancing in this life. I can choose to live in such a way that I can be eternally distanced from everything that is holy. I could hear the fateful words from the Lord: “…Depart from me…” (Matt. 7:23).
In fact, I could be living in a way right now that means that I have put distance between God and me. What God said through Isaiah to people of his day is still true for us today:
…(Y)our iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear (Isaiah 59:2).
Mandated social distancing is, at best, a nuisance. Self-imposed social distancing is, in my opinion, sad. Eternal distancing from God is tragic.
It has been said in a variety of ways before. It is not original with me, but the truth is that —
If I sense a greater distance between God and me than might have formerly been the case,
it is I who has moved and not God.
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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn
