As the novel coronavirus marched across the globe, health experts advised increased physical distance between people as a means to slow the spread. Many countries asked their citizens to self-quarantine or shelter in place. Organizations sent employees home to work remotely if they could, while others suffered a financially debilitating loss of employment. Like others, I participated in church and small-group meetings through digital platforms. As a world, we practiced new forms of togetherness despite being physically disconnected.
It isnāt just the internet that lets us maintain a sense of connection. We connect to one another as members of the body of Christ through the Spirit. Paul expressed this notion centuries ago in his letter to the Colossians. Though he hadnāt personally founded their church, he cared deeply for them and their faith. And even though Paul couldnāt be with them in person, he reminded them that he was āpresent with [them] in spiritā (Colossians 2:5). Ā
We canāt always be with those we love for financial, health, or other practical reasons, and technology can help fill that gap. Yet any form of virtual connection pales in comparison to the ātogethernessā we can experience as fellow members of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). In such moments, we can, like Paul, rejoice in one anotherās firmness of faith and, through prayer, encourage each other to fully āknow the mystery of God, namely, Christā (Colossians 2:2).
