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.

It is not uncommon for young people to go through a time when they deliberate if they want to continue following and practicing the spiritual beliefs of their parents or family. There is an innate internal need to decide, “What I believe” rather than to declare, “What my parents believe.” It is part of the growing-up process for everyone. Each young person has their unique perspectives and insights as to what makes sense to them spiritually. Their individualized journey to personal faith is a life-long experience.

How we, as family, friends, and church leaders, respond to each young person in their quest for spiritual life, is crucial. Their decision if they will stay in a relationship with us and stick around, or if they will walk away is—to a large extent—in our hands. Their beliefs and the practices they develop can take them away or can keep them closer to us. If they stay connected, then we are thankful and enriched; if they drift away or outright rebel, then we are sorrowful and broken-hearted. However, as friends and leaders, we can still stay connected with them even if they walk away. We do not have to let them go. We can continue reaching out in love and care, showing them interest. We can continue giving them time and attention in ways that are meaningful and relevant to them. We will NOT let our friends go. We will GO after them and continue to nurture friendships with them!

Solomon said, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17 NKJV). Proverbs goes on to say, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV). Jesus modeled friendship and staying close to those whom others thought He should not be around. “Then all the tax collectors and sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.'” (Luke 15:1-2 NKJV). Notice that Jesus did not expect this group of people to come to the synagogue to hear him teach or preach. Rather He met them in their places and spaces and their timeframes to share His love and care for them. We can do this too if we are intentional about loving our friends who may not think or act like us.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.” (John 15:13 NKJV). And then He showed us what he meant by this when He literally laid down his life for His friends – meaning – for us. We too can share love with others as Jesus did. We may not be called to give up our life for another, but we may be called to give up our time and attention for others. We may be called to devote our lives to lovingly pursue those who may not be following Jesus. We can GO! We will GO!