Does The Bible Have Anything To Say About Social Distancing?

I miss you. I miss hanging out. Doing life together. You see, I’m an extrovert. I feed off of people. In fact, I’m the CEO of my blog: The Chief Encouraging Officer of People. That said, this Coronavirus, “social distancing” thing truly stinks!

Since creation, we were never meant to be alone.

Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 
Genesis 1:26-27

God did not create JUST Male. He did not create JUST Female. He created Male AND Female. There was no social distancing in the Garden of Eden. This is not how life is supposed to be. That said, I totally understand the reasoning behind our current, “social distancing” suggestion.

Over these last few weeks, I’ve made a mental checklist of what “social distancing” has done. These are in no particular order.

• I miss hanging out with people.
• I’m bummed that several Spring Races have been put on hold.
• I miss hugs. (no shame here as I’m a hugger)
• I miss Social Gatherings. (Church, grabbing coffee)
• I miss running with a group.
• I miss my favorite restaurants and stores.
• I’m sad that my daughter’s musical, and the rest of her Senior Year, could be cancelled.
• I miss March Madness. ( Especially Spartan Basketball)
• My kids, and several friends, miss getting a paycheck.
• I miss eggs, flour and toilet paper on the shelves.

Now, here are 10 encouraging things “Social Distancing” has created.

• A new appreciation for hanging with my friends.
• It’s great to have all of my kids home. (College Campuses are closed)
• I don’t see near as much division between people.
• My house seems cleaner. (What else is there to do?)
• People have opened up conversations about Faith.
• We have a new appreciation for the ‘everyday’ things we’ve taken for granted. Like technology.
• I have a new appreciation for all business owners, their staff, waiters and waitresses.
• Gratitude for those serving in the medical field.
• I’m spending a lot less money, as I’ve learned to ration food and materials.
• We’re learning that we CAN do hard things.

What have I missed? Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments below.

While we all learn to adjust to this new normal, I leave you with words from my hero, Jesus.

“Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

Jesus was, and still is, the “CEO of People”. He came to bring peace. In fact, He actually preferred to hang out with, “rejected” people. Hmmmm. Maybe, because of “Social Distancing”, we can all learn a new, “social thing”, or two?

Keep making a “social” difference. And, Run By Faith.