Scripture
26“So we decided to build the altar, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, 27but as a memorial. It will remind our descendants and your descendants that we, too, have the right to worship the Lord at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices, and peace offerings. Then your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no claim to the Lord.’ Joshua 22:26-27
Observation
The tribes of Reuben and Gad had been given land on the other side of the Jordan before Israel passed over into the Promised Land. They had fought alongside their brothers and sisters for all those years. They had shared the joy of victory and the sorrow of defeat. They had sat around the fire and eaten together, sang songs and grown rich along with their fellow tribes from the spoils of war. Reuben and Gad had fought for six to seven years and were now about to return home to their families. On their way back their joy in seeing their families began to give way to some separation anxiety. What happens if what we have done is forgotten? What happens if our kin doesn't tell their children about Reuben and Gad? Our family might see as their enemy if we don’t figure something out. Out of sight, out of mind is how it happens. So, they took a lesson from God who had them build an altar of rocks after passing through the Jordan on dry land to act as a permanent reminder to future generations. Now, when the rest of the tribes heard they were building an altar they jumped to conclusions and were ready to go to war with them because they assumed they were building their own altar apart from the Tabernacle in Shiloh. This really proved their point about how easy it is to assume when you’re not in the same room. Thankfully, they sent a delegation of leaders from the community led by Phinehas the priest and realized the wisdom of this plan. This structure built by Reuben and Gad would serve as a permanent reminder that even though they weren’t living in the same place they were serving the same God and they were still family no matter what.
Application
As we waited for our first weekend with New Hope Oahu being exclusively online services Cyndi asked my why I was so tense. I wasn’t sure. It was more than the Covid-19 quarantine. It had something to do with the complete upheaval of our way of life. I couldn’t put a finger on it, I just knew that I was stressed and everyone in the home could feel it. Now I know it was separation anxiety. Having served alongside the amazing staff of New Hope Oahu for the past five years I felt anxiety at being apart from them. We have experienced massive wins for the Kingdom of God. We have worked through ministry challenges, seen broken relationships reconciled and have been on the frontlines of seeing people come to Christ and set free. Now, in one fell swoop, I was no longer with this amazing group of people and I wondered what this would do to our relationship. I wondered how long it would last. It turns out I’m not the only one struggling with feelings of separation anxiety. Many clinical psychologists are reaching out to people stuck in their homes like I am and they are giving the same solution the tribes of Reuben and Gad arrived at- build a structure. This second week of “stay at home, work from home” is going a lot better because of structure built into my day. Structure becomes a daily reminder that even though I'm not in the same room I am serving the same God and that we are family no matter what.
*Separation and Isolation Doesn’t Mean Insulation- We must refuse to insulate ourselves from life-giving relationships. I have set up Zoom meetings with members of our staff and leadership team. I have a scheduled Zoom meeting with my friends and fellow pastors who are figuring out the new normal with me. My weekly Life Group has a Zoom meeting on Thursdays now at 7:30 (if you want to join just email me at jonburgess@enewhope.org and I'll send you an invite) where we share our journal entries and pray with each other. Instead of just calling or texting I’m now Face Timing my family. Even though I can’t be with everyone physically I can at least see their faces as we talk, and for an extrovert like me, this has become a life-line. We are even planning a Facebook Watch Party for the 9am service this Sunday with our friends who live in Kaneohe (if you want to join in just follow us on joncyndiburgess on FB).
*Keep a routine when nothing is routine- For a Type-A go-getter like me, one week in my home with no structure and I was already going over the deep end. It’s tempting to just start letting things slide. Important things like… showers. Psychologically when we don’t keep to a healthy routine this messes with our heads and causes us to slip into lethargy and possibly even depression. This second week in and I’m doing so much better because I’ve set a schedule for myself. I go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier ahead of the rest of the family. This gives me time to do my devos and get a work out in before the rest of the house starts humming. With seven people under one roof, our house is always humming. I have a study schedule where I’m working on future messages. I have virtual meetings scheduled as mentioned above. This has caused me to be so much more productive and to feel like I won’t be forgotten and I won’t forget what matters most. It will also make it easier to transition back into “real life” when this Covid-19 Pandemic dies down. Sometimes, it just starts with changing out of your PJ’s. I even dress up in my “church clothes” for our New Hope Oahu online services (www.live.enewhope.org) even though I’m only helping to host the online chats with our people. This helps me to “show up” and take seriously every online interaction. Like Christian author and speaker, Jon Acuff said, “I’ve worked from home for 7 years. Here’s some free advice if you never have. Start the day with a shower and then dress like you normally would for work. I love pajama pants too, but they’re a breeding ground for depression. Flannel feels like failure by day 3.”
*Try something new in the new normal- I have been given the gift of time. I may never have this much time again. It’s amazing how much more time I have in my day when I simply cut out my commute time. We know that “nature abhors a vacuum”. In other words, if we don’t fill the gaps in with something good it will probably be filled in with another not-so-good Netflix binge. So, I just started a blog where I post my journals (https://jonburgess77.wixsite.com/lifeinflux), videos, and pictures. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while and now I have no excuse. I’m also going to learn the Ukulele. I’ve been wanting to learn a new instrument and now’s the time to do it. What’s the new you are about to do?
Prayer
This right here, right now, is another rock on the altar of my daily structure. I set my heart to worship You. Thank You, God that I will not be forgotten, I will not forget, Your promises are forever. I thank You that nothing can separate me from Your love. I will look back on this time and see this structure as a testament to your faithfulness. Help me to reach out to others that You place on my heart who may be feeling isolated and anxious. “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
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