Monday Night for the Master

The medical journal, The Lancet, recently published an article that describes an alarming problem that potentially looms on the very near horizon. The article described the long-term effects that longer periods of isolation, even less than 10 days, can have on people. One of the authors of the article stated, “We are witnessing the deterioration of relationships. Rather than connecting people, restrictive measures are creating rivalries and arousing discord between people… Social isolation has been linked to cognitive impairment, reduced immunity, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and ultimately, mortality… This pandemic will inevitably lead to redefining our relationship styles, which will no longer be based on proximity but on distance. Physical contact will be replaced by negotiated sharing, while the digitalization of lives, already started with the advent of social media, technology, and virtual reality will be further emphasized…”

While that can be extremely depressing, the authority of God’s word gives us the direction and the process to address these issues in our culture. First of all, God’s word was written during times of extreme negative conditions (wandering in the wilderness, pre- and post-captivity, Roman oppression, congregational tensions). That should give us comfort to know that God has always had a plan to save people in desperate situations. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes…”

Many of Paul’s conclusions to his letters, end with a greeting for people at a particular congregation, or instructions to help keep the body working in harmony with God’s word. The Monday Night for the Master mission has a similar goal: to encourage people who may feel alone and isolated from people around them. We care about the body of Christ; therefore, our first task should be to care for the people we worship with.

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:19-20, “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

We are Christ’s ambassadors bringing hope from the fears of this life and the hope for the afterlife. That’s what motivates us to continue to reach out, even during the stress of our time in history. The Monday Night for the Master is a mission to do just what scriptures encourage us, and instruct us to do.

1 Thessalonians 5:11, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” Hebrews 10:24-25, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And 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.”

There may be many psychological effects of isolation, of extended time away from people, but we can help serve as the bridge back to a life within a community built on Christ. Please prayerfully and actively help us to reach those who need a call or a card to lift up their spirits.