In Group Together
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? . . . Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.” (James 5:13, 16)
Now that the Covid pandemic appears to be winding down, you may be like me, looking back at the last few years with a bit of disbelief, amazement, and relief. It was challenging, but in retrospect, I’m finding that if we look closely, there are some important lessons to be learned from that ordeal, and wisdom to be gleaned.
One thing I learned about myself is that I need people!
Faces on my computer screen, anything “virtual,” online art exhibits or book clubs, and even website church services were not enough for me. After less than two weeks of Covid isolation, I found myself frantic and frustrated, praying for a solution. With the help of a few close friends, I was able to adjust and make it through. Your reaction may not have been exactly like mine, but we all need people to some degree, and no one truly thrives in isolation.
During this time I again understood the wisdom of our pastor in always promoting and emphasizing the importance of groups in the church.
As he puts it—
“We were designed to be in community.”
Even our Lord surrounded Himself with supportive followers and companions whom He called friends. (John 15:12,15) A fellow church member recently told me that they were feeling lonely, like nobody cared about them or liked them, and they were bored and discouraged. My first thought? Join a group!
In the group, everybody knows your name and your story. They will speak to you in church, and when they ask how you’re doing, they will really want to know. Group is a place where we can belong, where the burden of our sadness is shared by others, and when something wonderful happens to us, it will be wonderful to them as well.
I am often compelled to lighten up in the group, to force myself to walk in greater patience, tolerance, and forgiveness toward others, while being grateful that my own faults and failures are heard and understood with similar grace and kindness. I am accountable - to myself, to others, and to God because I now have a close circle of like-minded Christians to whom I am committed and who are committed to me. It’s a good place to be because prayers are prayed, friends are made, and life is lived, in a group.