Concerns for maintaining social distancing have put an end to a multitude of sports as we know them in our world for the time being. So much has been eliminated.

And yes, the summer Olympics took an unplanned vacation — 365 days, to be exact.

Social distancing sure has created distance.

Did you know that God strongly weighs in on the subject of distancing too? For our own good, He recommends we keep our distance from certain things. BUT He also urges us to close gaps and drop anchor around other things no matter what’s going on around us.

Here is where God wants us to never surrender ground and never practice distancing:

GOD HIMSELF: God doesn’t socially distance. There are no interrupted seasons when we play for Him. Whoever comes to Him will never be separated, never cast out.

No other god makes that promise. What tremendous comfort and peace! God came near. He is committed to closeness. Step in and join Him (John 6:37, Romans 8:35-39).

HUMILITY: God moves in with the humble. He dwells with the contrite. They’re the ones who get His gaze, who get revived. They’re the ones who receive His lifts and hugs.

Humility also closes the gap between us and others. So live contrite. Move toward humility (Isaiah 57:15, James 4:10).

WATER: Commit to cleansing. Dance in the rain. Stay in the shower of repentance so you won’t run dry. Run to the river of renewal. Plunge in. Be washed, made clean, as good as new (James 4:8).

SCRIPTURE: Keep the Word of God so close to you that it is actually hidden in your heart (Psalm 119:11). Put it always on your lips, always in your self talk.

Never let a day go by when you haven’t touched the Word and let the Word touch you (Joshua 1:8).

SPIRIT: “Keeping in step with the Spirit” is another way God preaches proximity. He coaches us to win by playing on a string with Him.

That means being so close to Him that I feel His drumbeat and march to every step. That means when the Spirit moves, I move. That means He’s never out of my view (Galatians 5:25).

HUDDLES: God asks us to intentionally, relentlessly huddle with others, to seek spiritual fellowship and worship in community … even if our phones and screens become our only options to do so. Honor the huddle (Hebrews 10:24,25).

HOPE: God gives us “exceedingly great and precious promises.” The Bible is loaded with them. Know them. Hold fast to them. To this kind of hope we must cling (Hebrews 10:23, 1 Kings 8:56, 2 Peter 1:4).

Reflect: Is there a little too much distance between you and any of the seven markers listed above? If so, what move should you make to close the gap?

Would you also take an extended moment to read some of the Scripture references listed above? (I bet they’ll get your heart and mind moving in the right direction.)

A prayer to consider: LORD, thank You for never practicing social distancing from Your creation even though You are high and holy. You came near us. You come near me. What honor! It makes all the difference in the world.

Help me to keep You close and practice no distancing with You by being consistently humble, well watered, full of Scripture, faithfully huddling with others, filled with promised hope, and keeping in step with your Spirit. Amen.

s.