May 14 - The Oasis Community

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

"But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you--certainly I, Paul, did again and again, but Satan stopped us. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy."

I just had to put the full scripture here today because it's just so relevant. I could read it over and over again. Right now, we are torn away from each other, just like Paul was from his dear friends in Thessalonica. And although we can't walk out our doors, get in our cars, and drive to see our loved ones like we normally could, we still make every effort.

Is anyone else tired of making every effort? We're on what seems like week 100 of quarantine and even though I'm an extrovert tired of isolation, I'm also tired of Zoom calls and FaceTime and trying to find solutions to problems that seem unfixable. Some days, it feels easier to just not put in the effort. And I think that's okay--you need a break during these strange times.

But what Paul is telling us here is not to lose heart, or lose sight of what's most important. He speaks of hope and joy. And where are those things found? In the community God has given us to sustain us. In this dry, empty, desolate desert that is quarantine, that is life on earth sometimes, God has provided us with an oasis. And not only is that oasis his love and forgiveness, but it's the community that comes along with it. We are each other's hope and joy in this time, the light of Christ in each other's lives. Notice in the text how Paul said that they were torn apart "in person, not in thought." It is so with us as well, friends. We are together in thought, in Christ, through whatever method of communication we might stay connected.

And so even though it's exhausting some days, we continue to make every effort to share Christ's love with each other. We won't be perfect, but we will sustain each other. Lean on your friends and your family, speak kindly, forgive each other. Pray for strength on days when it's hard and the Lord will provide, for this oasis community is his gift to us in this desert.