by Jim Glover, Director of Pastoral Care
On Good Friday, in the introduction to his message, John shared that he was not that tech savvy and that the last time he “zoomed” was when he “zoom, zoom, zoomed” in his Mazda Miata years ago. That was a great line. Being there in the sanctuary with him, of course I gave him a thumbs-up.
Like many of you, before Covid-19, I had never even heard of Zoom online meetings, but now, I am an old pro at it. My week is filled with Zoom. Zoom. Zoom.
I remember how exciting it was, the first time my Legacy (Level 3) Adult Bible Fellowship had its first Zoom meeting. There were 89 of us gathered “together” that morning! It was such a blessing to be able to be with each other that our meeting went on for 2 hours! It was life-giving, sweet fellowship. It still is whenever we Zoom together.
Yet, surprisingly, the more I use Zoom, the more I find myself wanting to stop using Zoom. Not because of the problems involved with using Zoom (temperamental internet connections, the difficulty of seeing everyone on a tiny screen, annoying background noises from people forgetting to mute their sound)—but because the more I use Zoom, the more I realize how much I miss being with my church family. Online meetings are helpful, but I long for the day when we can stop using Zoom and meet together again, in person, face to face.
As I was thinking about all this, a verse came to mind that I had memorized in the King James version, 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
At first, taking it out of context, I smiled as I applied it to Zoom—get it? Right now we see through a glass darkly, but sometime soon we’ll see each other face to face. (Can you imagine what our first worship service together again is going to be like? I can hardly wait!)
But then the reality of this verse struck me. One day, “we” (you and I, church family) will see Jesus, face to face in all His glory! Can you imagine what a day that will be? Talk about sweet fellowship! (No more sin, no more pain, no more tears, no more illness—only joy and peace forever more).
“What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see, when I look upon His face, the one who saved me by His grace, when He takes me by the hand and leads me to the Promised Land, what a day, glorious day that will be.”
Bottom line. Join me in using Zoom as a helpful tool to stay connected with your church family. It is well worth the effort. Join me in not being fully satisfied with Zoom, as we long for the day when we gather together again in person. Join me in living in light of the hope that one day, we shall see Jesus face to face! The momentary suffering of today is nothing compared to the glory that awaits us on that day. Amen and amen.
HEADWATERS CHURCH 