better together 120/366

"We are better together" has been on a loop in my mind the last few days which is odd because I, like many of you, am and have been alone, basically, for weeks. 

I think the enemy would like to use it as a taunt. "You can't do that, or if you do, it won't be done well because you are doing it alone. You need someone beside you to do it with you. Two heads are better than one, etc. You are better together." 

It would be easy to hold onto that thought and use it as an excuse to sit back and do nothing when life keeps us apart. Especially lately, because with a pandemic we cannot be together. The choice to gather is out of our hands. Or is it?

I don't think the devil likes the truth I have come up with this evening as I focused on figuring out why those four words are not causing me to be depressed and wringing my hands in despair in the midst of a very physically solitary existence.

This is my reality, maybe it is yours as well: Even as we practice social distancing and sheltering at home, even though we are not sharing a location, and are spread across the globe, technology makes it possible for us to be together, when we can't be together. Through Zoom, Facebook live, Messenger, e-mails, texts, phone calls, etc. we are sharing life and ministry. It looks dramatically different than we are used to it looking, but we are figuring out how to do it. 

So, I want to challenge you with something. Until we can be back together physically, don't let the enemy steal your joy by blinding you to the ways we are able to share life and ministry. We are better together, however that gathering together looks.

For example: 
August 14, 2019 the Markey's were getting ready to go home

August 19, 2019 they were back in Salekhard Russia

I've learned to be thankful for each and every visit-

I definitely have a preference, but look at the fun we'd miss without facetime calls