Safe to say the Coronavirus has disrupted ALL of our lives and routines in one way or another! It has left all of us trying to find alternative ways of doing activities we took for granted such as going to church. Some churches have had to close due to Covid, leaving many church-goers in a frenzy.

They’re not able to attend church in-person, meet with their friends after church to chat, or hold their regular Bible studies.

For some, this is not a problem but for others, it’s a real drag, to say the least. If that’s you and you want some ideas on what you can do to continue to build your faith, read on!

Why do people go to church in the first place?

People go to church simply because the Bible tells us to in Hebrews 10:25. While speaking to the church about being bold in our faith, encouraging each other in love, and helping each other out, the apostle Paul also tells us not to neglect or give up meeting together.

It’s a place where we can encourage each other with the Word of God, share our unique testimonies, and can connect with people who are on the same faith-journey as us. (Acts 4:32)

This is especially helpful to those who are new to the faith and need to be surrounded by fellow believers to help them grow (especially during hard times).

Let me give you a practical example to illustrate importance of all this. Don’t laugh!

OK. So, I started the keto diet and joined a whole bunch of Facebook groups because, to be honest, I had no idea what I was doing and needed guidance.

I’ve been on it for only 2 weeks but a few days ago, I started having the strongest cravings I’ve had since I started this diet.

For those who don’t know about the keto diet, you can only have 20 grams of carbs a day, which for an African who eats rice like she drinks water, this is a C.H.A.L.L.E.N.G.E! OK?

So, while fighting my cravings, my dad shows up at home with a whole box of plantains. Frankly, I should have been born with fried plantain in my mouth because it’s my absolute favorite but again, I can’t eat it on the keto diet because it’s all carbs.

To make matters even worse, I’m the one who has to fry them for the rest of the family to eat!

When the devil wants to tempt you, he comes at you SWINGING!

I’m ready to give up on the diet at this point so I started praying, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Yes, I pray about weight loss because Jesus cares about my waistline. Don’t judge me.

Anyways, as I’m having this huge battle with the craving demon, I get on my keto Facebook groups and see posts of people encouraging others who are ready to quit like me cause apparently, I wasn’t alone in wanting to quit.

They share their own before and after pictures (testimonies) and give tips on how to overcome cravings.

They give recipes for delicious keto-friendly food which are very helpful ’cause we all know how “delicious” diet food is….(catch the sarcasm).

They tell us, newbies, that even if we cheat on the diet, we can restart again the next day and be fine.

By the time, I finished going through the posts, I felt so much stronger and was able to overcome the temptation to quit the diet. Take that craving demon!

Side Note: Frying plantains and not eating even one is a borderline miracle!

This is exactly how the church is supposed to work! And if you go to a great church that offers all of this, it can be tough when church closes for Covid or any other reason.

Here are 5 Things You Can do if your church closes (or if you don’t have a church YET):

1. Take the extra time to work on your personal relationship with God

It’s so easy to get into the routine of going to church and doing things there that we sometimes miss the big picture: having a personal relationship with God.

Worshiping with others is supposed to help us get closer to God NOT replace our personal time with Him.

Jesus had “church” with His disciples and the people who followed Him but He would sneak off a lot to have His alone time with the Father (Luke 5:15-16).

Missing a few days of church service shouldn’t make us feel disconnected from God or cause us to feel like we can’t reach Him but that’s what happens in any relationship where communication is neglected.

Do you feel closer to the friend you see and talk to once a week in passing or your roommate/friend with whom you live and do almost everything?

Our alone time with God is where we get to know Him as a person; where the stories from the Bible stop being stories and become a reality in our own life; where we learn to hear Him for ourselves and where we go from Him being a religion to Him being a personal friend.

Read and MEDITATE on the Word. Worship alone in a quiet place. Pray and talk WITH Him, not AT Him then still and just listen to the Holy Spirit.

Don’t come with a whole laundry list of prayer topics because, let’s face it, even you get annoyed with the friends that only show up when they need something.

Believe it or not, those moments are better than anything you may even experience in church.

2. Pray and Worship with your family

While you’re at home with the family during this time, try having church together! We usually go to church with our families but we can’t really worship or pray together with them in that setting.

Being at home together gives the perfect opportunity to have Bible Studies with the kids, to hold hands and pray concerning the things that are important to each one of you.

You get to grow together spiritually and be the church right from the comfort of your home!

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3. Engage with other believers through social media

If you’re reading this, I assume you are on some form of social media platform. Social media can be a great blessing depending on what you use it for. There many different Christian groups that you can join online.

There are even specific groups for different areas of life and different hobbies/interests. I’m pretty sure, I saw a “coffee lovers who love Jesus” group!

Try them and see. You might even make a new friend!

4. Attend the virtual church services your church holds (or whatever other alternatives they have set in place)

Although the in-person gatherings may have stopped for some churches, most if not all have an alternative way of doing services virtually. Find out what your church is doing and actively participate.

It will be different from what you’re used to but if you allow it, the Word of God can still change you even through a phone screen.

Don’t show up with a bowl of cereal or play on your phone while service is going on (definitely a note to self). Tune in as if you were there in person!

5. Read books by Christian authors in different areas of life

If you’re like me and love to read but hadn’t had time because of your busy schedule, this is the perfect time to get some books by Christian authors.

I’ve learned a lot through books and some have drastically changed my life.

There are all types of books depending on what topic you want to know more about. It’s a great way to build your faith. Let me know if you need some recommendations.

Conclusion

Our God is omnipresent. He is not limited to our church building. He lives in us through His Holy Spirit and is with us everywhere we go.

Technically you and I are the real church but that’s a conversation for another day.

If you have to miss church because of the Coronavirus or any other reason, take that time to experience God for yourself. Don’t just go looking for the next sermon that will make you feel good for an hour.

Build up the faith of your family by spending time in prayer and worship together. Read books and connect with others virtually.

Spend alone time with God and get a life-transforming experience that no one can ever take away from you.

I would love to say I do this all the time, but I don’t; however, the times I have put everything aside to just spend some quiet time with God have been supernatural and fulfilling! Try it and see!

#church #Covid19 #Faith