COVID-19: Purpose and Interdependence Part I
The other day on NPR, I heard a story titled “Coping With Anxiety Over COVID-19”* where the interviewee said, “So I think one of the real challenges here is that we live in an individualistic culture versus a collectivist culture. This moment in time really asks us to think differently, to think about caring for other people and to understand our interconnectedness.”
God’s design for us has always been to live interdependently. We are designed—hardwired, in fact—to be in relationship. Relationship with God and with others. When we get to the Bible’s description of what a church community should look like, this concept is central:
Romans 7 tells us:
· We “belong to one another” and to Jesus (v. 4).
· These connections enable us to flourish--to “bear fruit for God (v. 4).
· We “serve in the new way of the Spirit” (v. 6). Not selfishly but focused outward.
Romans 12 says:
· We worship God, in response to His great mercy and grace, by offering the whole of ourselves and our lives as living sacrifices (v. 1).
· We are to live differently—not conforming to the world’s patterns of independence and self-interest—but as renewed, transformed people by the work of God (v. 2).
· This looks like having a humble—a right view—of ourselves (“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought” v. 3).
· In Christ, we “form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (v. 5). Again, the sense of interconnectedness, belonging to each other.
· We have different gifts, according to how God has chosen to distribute them within the believing community (v. 6-8).
· We are to use these gifts—fully, completely, enthusiastically--for the benefit of the whole (v. 6-21).
· All is to be done in love (v. 9-10), honoring others above self (v. 10)
· Serve God and others with intensity and passion (v. 11).
· We are to be people of joy, hope, patience, faithfulness and prayer (v.12).
· We are to be generous and hospitable to those in need (v. 13).
· We are to bless others (v.14).
· We are called to live lives of humility, empathy, inclusion, and compassion (v. 15-16).
· We are not people of vengeance, but of peace and service and goodness (v. 17-21).
God’s design is that we don’t do life alone. This is our purpose—in this moment, and every other. Take a few minutes now to think about how many others have contributed to your day so far—planters, farmers, reapers, truckers, delivery people, pilots, mechanics, salespeople, grocers, baggers, pharmacists, manufacturers, distributors, journalists, reporters, photographers, software developers, engineers, electricians, plumbers, water quality inspectors, utilities personnel, authors, publishers, dentists, medical professionals, law enforcement, cleaning personnel, spiritual guidance providers, coaches, teachers, etc. etc. You get the idea. Left just to ourselves, we could not manage nor produce everything we use, need, touch. In this time of quarantine, even if you are alone in your living space, pause to thank God for those who have provided for you to be able to live the life you are living right now with the provisions you already have.
For Reflection:
· In what way/s is interdependence perhaps a challenge for you?
· Where do you note interconnectedness with others being healthy?
· What is one step you can take toward becoming more interdependent in the ways outlined by Romans 7 and 12?
* March 14, 20208:06 AM ET; National Public Radio, Weekend Edition Saturday.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been EquipConnectServe Director at her 1,200 member church since 1999.
Photo © Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.