Created for Fellowship: The Need For In-person Interaction

BY PASTOR LLOYD BASCO

Two biblical texts have this to say, 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. –Hebrews 10:24-25

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” – Genesis 2:18

When Covid-19 broke out all over the world and its restrictions reached the Philippines on March 2020, it limited everyone’s interaction most especially those belonging to the young people and elderly age groups. It halted huge gatherings, school attendance and activities, leisure with friends and families, and most especially joining together in corporate worship in church.

In spite of all this, the pandemic was not able to hinder the spread of God’s Word, nor change the heart of God, cease His blessing, or thwart His plans. In history, there were no pandemics, plagues, people, or any events that delayed or obstructed God’s plan for mankind. God remains sovereign. This profound truth is our greatest hope in all ages. God’s movement is never dependent on anything or on anyone.

But it is undeniable that many in the academe were affected emotionally and spiritually. Without a doubt, the online modality of learning is never at par with inperson learning due to the limitations that an online setup has. Stakeholders in institutions most especially the students, parents, and teachers grumbled about the myriad of problems they encountered in the online setup. Beginning with, connectivity issues, power outages, difficulty in reaching out to students, some cases of dishonesty, rising cases of depression, time management problems, and so forth.

Biblically, we were not made for this. This was never the design or intention of our Creator for us. To be isolated or detached from each other was never His plan. Anything that transpires contrary to His intentions will turn out to be problematic and unharmonious. We were made for fellowship and interaction. In the aforementioned biblical texts, Genesis 2:18 cites that it is not good for anybody to be isolated or lonesome, further implying that we need fellowship with our own kind. Fellowship in Greek is “koinonia” which means having something in common. We do not have something in common with plants and animals because we do not think alike. We only have something in common with our fellow human beings. Genesis records the first marriage in biblical history, but putting this aside and considering God’s act of making another reveals that human design is undoubtedly intended for interaction. Moreover, we see this union carried over up to the present time, and we know it will be handed over in the generations to come. Indeed, we were truly created for fellowship.

In Hebrews 10:24-25, there is a challenge to exemplify good deeds and love to our fellowmen. There is difficulty actualizing this with distance. Still, the best way to demonstrate love is through one’s presence. There is power in presence. In the words of Gabriel Marcel, he said, “presence is not a skill one learns but it is rather a grace.” We bring encouragement not only with words but most especially through handshakes, hugs, kisses, pats on the back, fist bumps, and simply telling a peer “I got you” or I got your back.

The writer in Hebrews then transitions to the eschatological or to the study of the final things and the destiny of humanity. He points out the value of meeting in person in the preparation for what is to come and that is the Day of the Lord. It implies that it is difficult preparing for the arrival of that day when we are doing it all alone by ourselves. We need the company of others. We need the presence of each other througout this journey.

In application to the school setting, the in-person learning modality truly aids the students in the learning process. Since we were made for fellowship, there is a sense of belongingness as we interact and socialize with one another. Moreover, one of the strengths of in-person learning is that it encourages collaborative learning without any distractions. Students do not only learn from their teachers and mentors but they also learn from the ideas and experiences of their fellow students. Truly, learning is made enjoyable and easier in this setup since we were fashioned in this manner and were created for fellowship. Godspeed!

C