The Meaning of Virtual

These days we’ve become a loving community, virtually, a place where people can share their needs, challenges, and celebrations. We have added love to the meaning of the word virtual.

There are prayer requests of all kinds: for broken arms, skin cancer removal procedures, sinus headaches, kidney stones, Cathy’s nephew, Tony’s niece, and lots of prayer requests for family and friends with COVID.

There are prayer requests for safe travels and flooding. Then, there was this great quote from a dear sister, “When one hurts, we all hurt. When one prays, we all pray. When one sings praises, we all sing with you.”

There are birthday celebrations. “Happy birthday Dina,” and “Happy birthday Michelle, have a blessed day.”

There are many praise reports. Thank you Jesus that Liz, Donna, and Marie are doing better. “Yes, Jesus is good to us, all the time.”

Most recently, there was the announcement of the Turkey giveaway. We were blessed with 75 Turkey dinners, again this year.

This all reminds me of Jesus’ words in John:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13 34-35, NIV

Loving one another is Jesus’ indicator of our success. The focus of our lives should be on people, not accomplishments and things. Our focus should be on sharing love, not just with our family, but also with our neighbors. 

This is the reason I love this prayer request from Devin asking for prayer for his dad’s boss’s son, hurt in a bad motorcycle accident. My guess is that Devin doesn’t know the son hurt in the motorcycle accident or, if he does, not well. But, Devin rides motorcycles and identified with the young man because of a common connection. 

God sent his son to earth so that he could connect with us, so that he could understand our hopes and dreams, understand our challenges and fears. It is true for us as well. God has placed us into our world so that we can connect with those around us.  So often, we spend a lot of time wrapped up in our own wants and concerns, our own families, our own careers, and our own aspirations. But, let us not be so centered on what is ours to not stop and pray for our “dad’s boss’s son.” 

In the end, no activities or accomplishments will stand up to how well we loved. Not only must we add love to the meaning of virtual. We must add love to in-person, to our words and our actions. We must add love without judgement or condemnation. Indeed, we must love God with our whole hearts and others as he has loved us. 

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Victorious Living.