After
Author: The Rev. Dr. David L. Bridges, Priest
April 29, 2020
There
are events in life that cause us to measure time in terms of “before” and
“after”. We clearly mark time in our stories as one or the other. For example:
“Before 9-11, we didn’t have as much security at airports.” Or, “after Coronavirus
we will be more careful about sanitizing.”
What was “before” is past, what is
“after” is future. Many of us don’t like change. We would prefer if nothing
changed from what we have been comfortable with, or the way we have always done
things.
The problem is that change is one of
the only things we can be sure of! Nothing stays the same. The seemingly
smallest changes in patterns bring change in the overall outcome. I saw a news
story about restaurants in states that have reopened public eating
establishments. The customers are predominantly sticking with take-out or
delivery, and the dining rooms are still empty.
When we do something for 15-30
consecutive days, it becomes a habit. Our new habit of eating take-out,
delivery, or cooking at home may stick in many communities, even as restaurants
begin to re-open for dine-in. This is not a change any of us may have expected,
and I don’t think we would have chosen it, but it happened.
The change happened with or without
our approval. In fact, when the issue became life-and-death, the change was
gladly embraced by most people. Now that we are talking about “coming back,” I
hear some people asking “why”? At least some folks are more comfortable
remaining distanced.
I can recall arguing for more
on-line meetings and fewer long drives or expensive flights for business
meetings that basically served no real purpose. No one cared back then. Now
businesses have been forced to move away from expensive, time-consuming travel
to more productive uses of technology.
Likewise, churches have changed by
embracing video streaming and group meeting software. Churches that may have
never considered having a camera in the room are now using that technology.
Often, change is not a matter of choice, but a matter of necessity. Somehow
that can make change a little easier to accept.
Then there are the “before” and
“after” factors within us. Many of our friends were avid huggers, but now have
to refrain from such gestures. Even shaking hands has become a moment of
trepidation. I think more about the cleanliness of the surfaces I touch than
ever before.
The way we do business and church
has changed. What has not changed is our responsibility to ourselves, each
other, and our planet. Regardless of where and how we eat or worship, or how we
socialize or distance ourselves, we are all neighbors and fellow travelers on
this planet and we all depend on each other.
Change will happen, often when we
least expect it, and whether or not we approve. What cannot change is the love
of our Creator toward us. Be happy; you are loved.
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