On March 14th, the leaders of our church held a special conference call. The topic of conversation was the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential of having to suspend weekly church gatherings. Like thousands of churches all over the world, we were forced to make a critical decision to temporarily stop meeting. Pastors and leaders all over the world simultaneously entered into uncharted territory together.
I don’t recall taking any classes on how to pastor in a pandemic while in seminary, so navigating this new normal was already difficult, but the added factor of life with a developmental disability challenged me to spend time focusing on my own mental health as well. I investigated tools that may be useful for families and individuals impacted by disability.
One of my greatest challenges was the lack of consistency and compartmentalization. I need a consistent routine, and I need each activity or task to fit into a specific category. When the country went into shelter-in-place orders, it all but erased my existing routines and along with it, my sense of time and timing.
In the gospel of Mark, Jesus is found creating some much needed space for spiritual self-care. I have found His model to be tremendously helpful in protecting my spiritual health, as we continue to live in quarantine.
“Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him. Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him.” Mark 3:7-9 NLT
Following an extended period of time serving, teaching, and healing people, Jesus instructed His disciples to prepare a boat for him so that the crowd would not “crush” him.
Photo credit: Luca Bravo on Unsplash.com.
The reason I can relate to this story is because crowds crush me, too. I’m not a fan of big crowds. I can enjoy crowds temporarily and endure them when necessary, but I have limits. I need my space, and space is not just about the number of people around. Space is about my spiritual well-being. That’s why being in quarantine has been challenging. I am never really alone.
So, what has the potential to crush you? In what area of life do you need “space” for spiritual health in the midst of a social crisis?
Jesus knew that His spiritual, mental, and emotional health meant taking time to protect His heart.
Proverbs 4:23 reads, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Proverbs 17:22 reads, “A Cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”
Here are three simple ways to protect your spiritual health during the quarantine and the in days following:
1. Dedicate yourself to the concept of regular “boat” time.
Just before COVID-19 forced everything to shut down, our children had received progress reports for the spring semester. In addition to the report displaying their grades, it also displays their attendance. When it comes to attendance, there are two main categories: excused absences and unexcused absences. Excused absences are normally absences that are allowed because the child has presented a doctor’s note, stating that the child is attending a healthcare-related appointment. In this season of quarantine, be sure to build in some excused absences: absences from activities, Zoom meetings, and non-essential contact. Find a room in your home where you can spend some alone time, prayer time, and reflection time without interruption. Jesus knew that His best chance at maintaining His margin was to get some “boat” time.
2. Develop a plan before your responsibilities “crush” you.
Jesus had a plan to retreat before He was crushed by His responsibilities. Each week, consider making a plan for monitoring your mental, emotional, and spiritual boundaries. What times of the week are difficult for you? What times of the day do you tend to struggle more than usual? These could be signs that you need to build in margin at those moments in your schedule. Write out a plan to place space in between activities, online meetings, and caring for your family.
3. Discover your resources, and delegate responsibilities.
Jesus asked His disciples to prepare the boat for Him. One of the unintended results of being quarantined is being unknowingly drug into works-based righteousness. Those who are able to work from home are suddenly working more hours and taking on more tasks than normal, all in an effort to prove their value and worth. Spiritually, this can lead to a sense that your value is based on your productivity, but in Christianity our value is found in the work of Christ and the cross. Be mindful not to try to do it all on your own. Get help, and delegate tasks that others can do.
As we continue to navigate a new temporary normal, be sure to be as vigilant with your spiritual health as you are with your physical health.
“A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?” Proverbs 18:14 MSG
Lamar Hardwick is the lead pastor of Tri-Cities Church in Atlanta, GA. Visit his website www.autismpastor.com for more information.
