Social Distancing

Luke 8: 43-48 Who touched me?

With the recent adjustments we’ve made because of the pandemic, we’ve come face to face with the reality that life-changing experiences can alter our entire world in just the blink of an eye. We are seldom given a heads up and usually don’t have a lot of control. The term social distancing may have become a household word almost overnight, but it is certainly nothing new. How many times have we stayed home with sick children so we wouldn’t expose everyone else in the nursery or excused ourselves from shaking hands because we had a cold and didn’t want to share germs? This unprecedented, world-wide version, however, is so overwhelming because of its scope, uncertainty and severity. This unseen enemy has permeated every corner of this planet and left no one unscathed in some form or fashion. Nobody knows what normal means anymore, but we can be encouraged by the assurance that we do have a firm foundation that will never be destroyed by a catastrophic event – not even the pandemic.

I was thinking about the woman with the bleeding disorder the other day. As more and more of us are ordered to shelter in place or even put into quarantine, I think we might have a better appreciation for this woman who was forced into isolation for twelve years because of a mysterious disease. Can you imagine the fear and loneliness she experienced? With pain and weakness as her only companions, I envision her lying on her mat too weak to move and too depressed to care. She had spent every cent she had seeking a cure, but she got worse not better. Then one day she heard a man pleading for Jesus to heal his daughter. She had heard rumors of Jesus, but she never dreamed he would be close enough to heal her! She was bound by law to remain in isolation, but she longed just to touch Him. In fact, she didn’t even have to touch HIM just his garment She stretched out her hand, brushed the hem of his cloak and instantly felt a change throughout her body. There was so much more in that transformation, though, than she realized. This woman had turned her focus from herself – her fears and doubts – and placed it on Jesus. She was willing to be obedient despite social conventions. She became whole when she believed in Him and His power. But she didn’t expect that He had bigger plans than she could envision.

Who touched me? Jesus asked.

Seriously? In a crowd of people? Who didn’t touch Him, right? Jesus knew who touched Him. He wanted her to know. He wanted her to know that her healing was from Him and not His garment. He wanted her to know that He knew her. He wanted her to know it did not matter what the world thought of her, He loved her. He wanted her to know He had not just healed her body but her soul as well.

Go in peace, He said, and He touched her – a woman considered unclean now a woman who was highly favored by her creator.

Jesus is the same today as He was then. There is no social distancing with Jesus. We can reach out and touch Him at any time of day or night through prayer, praise, and immersing ourselves in His word. So when the news is overwhelming, we can drop to our knees in prayer. When we feel isolated and alone, we can immerse ourselves in His word. When our emotions threaten to overtake us, we can lift up our voices in praise and worship for we know “Our God inhabits the praises of His people.” When we long to be with loved ones across town, across the country or around the world, we can take comfort in the knowledge that He is there.

So from time to time you will see me post a prayer, a song or a special verse as an invitation for you to join me in reaching out and touching Him. Remember, though, that He is always there for you.

Lord, we praise you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for loving each of us so completely. We don’t understand what is going on in the world today, but we know you do. We lift up those who are sick and those who are in pain. We lift up the caregivers. We lay them all in your hands. Touch them today, Lord, with your love and peace. Give them strength and wisdom. Send someone to them to encourage them today. If that be one of us, Lord, give us clarity to understand your plan. In honor to you, Amen.