Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

We live in interesting times, don’t we? Three years ago, who would have thought that our churches would have been closed for an extended period of time in much of the world?

In my daily world, health care providers tell me often of the increased depression and anxiety, substance abuse and alcoholism, but what kind of impact has the church experienced since? And what about the individual believer?

Here’s a brief insight from Barna Research following the initial lockdowns –

“(Survey) respondents who have stopped attending church during COVID-19 are less likely than their peers who are still attending the same church during the pandemic to agree with the statement “I am not anxious about my life, as I have an inner peace from God” (76% vs. 87%).”

Instead of isolation, we should seek out others. This is how God intended us to live so that we can flourish. And so the writer of Hebrews addresses how we can work toward our mutual good-

• First, we hold tightly on to our faith in the LORD.
• Second, we spur or provoke others to live the life of Christ followers in love and action.
• Third, we meet together because that act of solidarity encourages others.

We can make excuses, but when we are disconnected from each other, our spiritual lives suffer and that spills into the rest of our lives.