A place to belong
And Jesus, moved with pity, touched him and said, "I want to! Be healed!” Mark 1:41(TLB)
Stricken with certain illnesses at times prevents you from having community with friends and sometimes even family. The recent global pandemic, Covid-19, is an example of this isolation problem, this not connecting with people. Current Covid-19 protocols require a six-foot distance from each other, frequent handwashing with warm water, use of hand sanitizer, and wearing face coverings. Ultimately it has in so many ways prevented family members from getting together to celebrate, connect, and create cherished memories.
Covid-19 has caused many of us to live isolated from each other, and for those who contract the disease, the constant threat of unacceptance looms over their heads. This has been hard on so many. Multiple surveys and studies confirm what we have known for years, that God created us to live in community, and the lack of community, a touch, a feel, results in all kinds of emotional challenges. In short, we all want a place to belong. When that place of belonging is snatched away from us, anxiety and depression are the results.
Covid-19 is the modern-day leprosy. We see in the Bible where leprosy prevented you from being accepted by society, family, and friends, and relegated you to be around only those with the same disease, leprosy. Think about it for a moment, wanting to be accepted by family or friends but you are not able to have a place of belonging, all because of your condition. Many young people in our church might feel unaccepted because of their appearance, or perhaps because their family dynamic is not like others at church. In the church, we have young people who feel unaccepted because they do not have the things that others may have, i.e., Jordan brand kicks, iPhone, or even their own car at 18 years of age. This causes a level of depression and anxiety that should not be. Even if your economic status or portfolio doesn't mirror that of an NBA athlete, PGA star, Soccer star, one should never be made to feel inferior to another human. This leper faced many challenges as the community of faith and society that once cared and even tolerated him turned their backs on him. His community would rather see his suffering than salute him and resolve his issue.
Finally, he does the unthinkable and breaks all protocols and laws instituted by the church and makes his way to Jesus. He wanted community so desperately that he is found “begging” for healing. Jesus, breaking all protocols touched him and declared “be thou clean.” This is powerful because this leper is afforded the precious moment to be reunited with family and friends. Jesus accepts this man, but He also gives this man a place to belong. My earnest plea is that we never turn anyone away no matter what they may be facing, but that we always give them the blessed assurance that they are accepted by Jesus Himself!
CHALLENGE!
What are you doing to make sure that all are accepted in the body of Christ? Connect with likeminded believers and create opportunities for those who feel rejected by Christ and the Church to experience HIS love either for the first time or again and pass it on to others.
