80% of life is showing up, so says Woody Allen, and so I have often preached. But like so much we knew to be true back in February, this no longer applies. In this Covid time when in-person gatherings are accompanied by long lists of guidelines and warnings, showing up is overrated, and sometimes not even possible. Trinity is no different. As we return to in-person services (first to be held outdoors, but one day returning to the sanctuary), showing up will be a new decision we will each have to make. No more will you demonstrate commitment by powering through just to be there, no matter how you feel. Instead we will be asked to stay away if our health is at all in question. In such a case, the loving thing to do will be to stay away. Love your neighbors by not infecting them—a new way for all to serve!
If you are staying away, how do you stay connected? Now, making an effort really counts. This is showing up for 2020—being intentional about your own spiritual life. We begin with attending Trinity’s virtual service. You don’t have to dress up, you don’t have to make conversation, and no one can see you, but your presence still supports the Body of Christ. In the chat, in the visible sharing with friends, in adding your name to the feed, you are supporting this church, even when you are not here. Joining worship in this way also gives you the opportunity to grow in faith by hearing the word, recommit to the faith and share in prayers that broaden your perspective on the Kingdom of God. None of that changes. Worship is still an offering we make of ourselves to God, so that God can make us into what we should be.
What else?
Let’s show up for each other! What about deliberately connecting with other members of the Church? We wonder how other members are doing. Why just wonder? You could check in and make the call! As we are apart now is the time to put yourself out there for the faith, even as you don’t leave home. Christians cannot grow when isolated, and we don’t have to be. Pick up the phone. Call. Talk. Pretty much everyone is thrilled to find out that their phones still work, and making those calls also reminds you that you are not alone. Be the first one to pick up the phone. Don’t have phone numbers? Call the church office for a list.
Show up for yourself! Back in the 3rd and 4th Centuries, as persecution of Christians waned, many believers looked for new ways to make a serious faith statement, now that martyrdom was not the handy demonstration that it had been. Men and women started going out into the desert to spend time in prayer and contemplation. “Your cell will teach you everything,” was their motto, as they listened to the silence. We don’t have to head out into the desert—we’re stuck at home, isolating.
Worship is still an offering we make of ourselves to God, so that God can make us into what we should be.
The desert fathers and mothers sought silence. With all our gadgets, we work hard to avoid it. Here’s a new way to show up: Turn off the noise. Practice silence and experiment with your inner mystic. Become comfortable with yourself. Listen to your thoughts in the silence, and you will discover all the ways you avoid the truth about you and God by keeping the noise going.
Your home will teach you everything.
In the silence you show up for God and for your true self. Putting aside the busyness, the idolatry of our time, makes us aware of the truth that is us, our abilities, our fears and limits, and also aware of God, who heals and transforms.
Showing up matters after all, and we can do it without leaving home! In this strange time, let’s learn what we need from the faith that is ours, apart and together.