STOP!

If you listen carefully to those in your circle of influence, you will hear people discussing, “I am over this quarantine! We are finding out that statement is not interrupted to mean that I am fully ready to re-engage life pre COVID. So, what is the problem?

Before we go full spiritual tactical on people let’s pause for a moment to analyze what has transpired pre-COVID to the present.

• We have faced a 24/7 news reporting about COVID that has been inconsistent. Millions are going to die versus fewer people will die of COVID versus the annual Flu/pneumonia.
• We have witnessed a complete economic shutdown. Many people have lost jobs due to companies shutting their doors for good.
• Churches closed their doors hardly without a single question being asked. Church attendees has experienced multiple online church services and ZOOM technology for small group meetings.
• Education has been shut down in the traditional sense. Parents have been thrown into a completely new rhythm for the family operations – No job or working at home, No child-care, grocery shopping via “Click Shopping,” Marriage relational stress for those not prepared, etc.
• Netflix Binging 
• Mental Health Concerns

Now that our nation is re-opening, the early indication is that churches are experiencing a wide array of hesitation about returning to church. Stop and think about this, we all have been living with error messages that our sensory receptors have been screaming at us – ERROR, ERROR, ERROR! Ten weeks of shut down and quarantined is not normal. Allowing people to work at their pace is KEY. Simply opening doors for business does not mean an immediate return. What do we do?

First of all, recognize that “normal” has shifted. Our social equilibrium is radically off-balance. Time is needed to regain our footing and comfort level for social re-engagement. Let’s be honest, pre-COVID, we all were taking a lot for granted. A wise theology professor once stated to me, Do not doubt in the darkness what God has shown to you in the light! Meaning… 

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” ³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 NIV.

With tender loving care we will all get through this historical moment.