Long before Covid-19, social media and children’s sports schedules, the author of Hebrews wrote: “let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” Hebrews 10:25.
The Hebrews author was explaining how to persevere in the faith, how we can keep from falling back into sinful routines. It appears that even in the early days of the church people had a tendency to drift away from the fold. They found their own reasons not to meet. I’m sure they were seemingly good ones, like travel, health, family concerns, money problems, etc. But their absenteeism correlated with losing their way, prompting the author to included “attendance” as a strongly suggested factor for maintaining a steadfast faith.
As Christians indwelt by the Holy Spirit, our faith should bring us together, not tear us apart. God intentionally built His church with the power of relationship, and it’s how His church continues to grow today even in the midst of a global pandemic.
Of course, there will be times when life prohibits faithful attendance, health and other circumstances may leave us stranded for a season. They can be challenging times, and local brothers and sisters in Christ ought to be vigilant in caring for their church family members in extenuating circumstances. But as much as it depends on us, we need to get out the door and worship in a way that is meaningful to us and to God.
As the Bible says in 1 John 1:3; “That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”
Maybe one day life will return back to normal. Until then, what we do now to share our faith can help those who are struggling, touch those who need support and educate those who need God’s grace during these trying times.