“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5.
“… that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me… I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:21, 23.
“Man is by nature a social animal,” says the philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC). According to him, this social nature continues throughout the existence of mankind and it has allowed us to survive through the ages. As human beings, however, we are shaped by other factors, one of these being individualism. It is a learned quality that allows us to observe, analyse and explore situations that help us to live in community. The balance between both of these (the social nature and individualism) produces maturity, social responsibility and solidarity. All of this allows us to develop the ability to adapt within the society.
Today, isolation and social distancing are threatening our level of maturity and most importantly, our ability to adapt to this new situation.
Many people are uncomfortable being at home and look for any excuse to get away. Others feel anxious, depressed, tired, stressed and burdened. This entire situation is new and it goes against our social nature – how can we deal with it?
- Look for unity within family, while at the same time seeking the unity that Jesus wants to have with you and your family.
- Personal unity with Jesus is unity with God. This brings us into being one with God and being part of the family of God. God is relational. By doing this, we will be witnesses to others of what Jesus is doing in us. Unity with Christ leads us to understand the love God has for us. This great love perfects us. It allows us to develop the maturity to understand what we need and so adapt adequately to changes in a complete, efficient and healthy way, even more in this time of confusion and chaos which our society is experiencing.
Connected to Christ, we as Christians will show that our God is in control and that we will come out victorious and united.
May God help you with all that you do today.
Dr. Miguel and Irene Garita, Family Care Ministry, Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region
