In church this morning and singing this song in a room with 100s of people with no masks, all singing out as if we actually are free. It’s glorious. Both last week and this week church felt like church. We love our home church, but it’s being stifled by rules to the point where it feels like God’s providence and sovereignty comes secondary to the government.
It’s been frustrating to see people of faith acting in such a cautious, fear based manner. Especially 2 years later. We have laws to follow where we live, but instead of pushing the envelope and doing as much as we are permitted to do, it feels like the church is an extension of the arm of the government. Reporting asymptomatic cases, encouraging people to get tested . . . blah blah. I get that from work. I don’t need that from church.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free — and I’ve felt that in both CA and Texas. In Texas it was expected, but in CA the church has continued to operate as they feel led, in spite of any barriers that the government has tried to put in place. And they’ve been growing, while other churches who are masking or just meeting online are shrinking. People need to be in relationship with others, in person, and when we have faith in Christ who has promised us eternal life, we should be the first ones out there, ready to display the hope that we have.
I’m praying for peace and grace and the ability to love and forgive those I’m in conflict with. And praying for a change of heart for those who are still living in a Covid shadow. Above all, come quickly Lord.