Because of the COVID-19 virus, we have all been pitched out of our comfort zone. I’m really going to miss going to church for Easter Sunday. We go to celebrate Jesus’ win over death when He rose from the grave. Hallelujah! Truth be told, though, I also like the dressing up in a special Easter outfit, making sure my nails are painted prettily, new shoes are shining and sometimes even wearing an Easter hat. I like the special Easter dinner afterwards, no matter if we cooked it or opted for going to an Easter buffet. I like the time spent with family and then, I especially like the Easter candy that I eat way too much of for the day.
This Easter we’ll obviously cook, but this year, our Easter dinner will be on Monday because my sister works on Easter Sunday. We won’t dress up. In fact, I’ll probably be in a pair of sweats as I stream the church service. We won’t be with family because my daughter-in-law and grandchildren are down at her parents so she can get the much needed help with the little ones as she is teaching online, and needs help corralling the kids. My son is at home alone because he directs the news at a TV station and still needs to go into work everyday. I think we’ll facetime with everyone on Easter to at least see each other. It won’t be the easiest of Easters, but we’ll make the best of it.
“Make the best of it.” When we get to return to actually gathering together to praise God on Sundays, will you just “make the best of it?” Will you sit in the same seat as you always do in church? Why do people always sit in the same seat anyway? I guess it’s because it makes them comfortable. But are we supposed to go to church to be comfortable? Our church has a section for members who are hearing-impaired and a person signs the worship service. I can see sitting in the same seat in that situation, so that these very special members can best experience the preaching and worship.
But what about the rest? Why do you sit in the same seat? What is really hard for me is when I sit in somebody’s “regular” seat and that person actually gets mad and flummoxed. Why? I’m friendly, and I promise that I have taken a shower and don’t smell bad. I go to a rather large church and I like to sit in different seats so that I can have a different view of the service, and get to know new people. If you sit in the same seat, you don’t meet anyone new. It helps keep the worship new and non-complacent. I can concentrate on the message, and not be concerned about what so-and-so is doing during the service.
I sat down in a new seat a couple of weeks before we couldn’t meet anymore. The people around me were about my age or a little younger. I got the usual side-glances as I sat down. Then the gentleman next to me actually introduced himself and those around us to me. Then he said, “Welcome to the neighborhood!” Here I found a whole group of people that had been sitting in the same place for so long, they actually had “built a neighborhood!” And they say Christians are so cliquish.
I know when we do get to finally return to meeting together at church, it is going to be wonderful to hug each other. However, I hope that we are friendly and include new people who come into the church for the first time. Invite them to sit with you. Find out about them and make them feel welcome. Chances are, we will have more first-time visitors, because people will realize that none of us knows when we will die. COVID-19 has shown no mercy to gender, social status or race. I hope there will be an increase in people searching for salvation. Let’s be ready and make sure we are welcoming and ready to help mentor our new members. The reunion with friends and family will be terrific, but more exciting will be enlarging our family of Believers. Until then – I’m praying that you and your families stay healthy and safe.
Photo credit: https://www.fbcchurch.org/ministry/
