How to Embrace Quarantine as Intimacy Rather Than Isolation
- Sarah Frazer Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
- Published Apr 22, 2020
Living in Honduras has already slowed my life in a myriad of ways. Because of this coronavirus quarantine, I’ve noticed I am less rushed than ever. I’ve noticed I don’t rush just to get up. I’m not worried if we're late because there is nowhere to arrive late. If my to-do list doesn’t get all done, its ok—because tomorrow will come soon enough. There has been more reading, sewing, and art. Music and writing is flooding our home. We all sit together and laugh more.
But I’ve also felt so distanced from our friends and family back home in the states. Life here in Honduras has been strange, different, and hard to get used to. Before all of this, we were just settling into a routine when the virus decided to go global. With new restrictions and curfews, we were forced to adapt again.
For example, we hang our clothes out to dry way more often to save on electricity. We’ve learned to heat up water in the microwave to do dishes with hot water. Sweeping is a daily chore and the dust is never-ending. Dogs howl in the middle of the night. Babies can be heard babbling at 1am every night. There is this bird, which makes a weird noise, but I can hear him at the same time—every single night. It's how I know it's 11:30 pm.
Although life was slow before, it has come to stop now. I still have daily to-dos. And, even though I live with six other people, the isolation is starting to get to me. I broke down a few weeks ago and cried. I never considered myself a “social butterfly,” but isolating is hard. So much harder even than adjusting to a new home in a faraway place.
Isolation Doesn’t Mean We Are Alone
Whether you have a house full of children or are all by yourself, we are all feeling the weight of isolation right now. This strange new normal we find ourselves in can be unnerving. What is this world we live in, filled with uncertainty, fear, and a deep sense of loss? We’ve all been coping in different ways because isolation hits all of us uniquely.
No matter your family make-up, personality, or even where each of us lives in the world, one thing is true: intimacy can come from our isolation.
Not just intimacy with our family members, but with God too. Intimacy means being familiar with someone/something. To have a deep knowledge of someone. In a world in which we are limited by social distancing, we can now practice this intimacy even more in our hearts.
Isolation means we are all alone, but as Christians we know this is not true. Even if we are all alone, God is with us. Although we do not see Him, He is there and sees us. Although we cannot feel Him, He offers His Word to comfort us. In this very unique time in history, when everyone, everywhere is self-isolating, let’s be Christians who dive into intimacy.
When God calls us out He always calls us to. Maybe isolation feels like we’ve been called out of something….but what if you are being called to something?
The Invitation for Intimacy is Open
Scripture is full of invitations for us to come to God. Matthew 11:28-30 and Jeremiah 29:11-14 speak about God’s invitation for us to come to Him. Matthew 11:28-30 says this intimacy brings a sense of rest. Jesus says, “Come to Me….My burden is light.”
What burden do you carry during this quarantine? Intimacy with God can remove that burden of fear, worry, doubt, and anxiety. When we come to Jesus, He will give us rest. Don’t we all need more rest from our minds and emotions? Maybe physical rest isn’t what we lack, but spiritual rest from worry and doubt. Come to Jesus, the invitation is open.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 invites us to come to God and know that God remembers us. When we draw close to God, calling on Him in prayer, we are reminded that God hears us. So often during our times of isolation, we feel unheard, unseen, and hidden. Instead, maybe we can turn to God in prayer and discover we are not alone. Isolation might mean we are physically alone, but spiritually, we have God the Father, Jesus our Savior, and the Holy Spirit our Comforter as our peace.
Do not think you are “too far gone” for this type of relationship with God. If sin stands in your way, confess and receive the forgiveness waiting for you right now (1 John 1:9). If you're afraid of your lack of effort before, lay aside the guilt. God invites us to come and delight ourselves in Him today. (Psalm 37:4)
Four Beautiful Ways to Connect During Quarantine
Do you wonder how to develop this intimacy with God? The steps are super simple. You can reach out today and try any of these four things.
1. Read the Bible
The Bible is easily accessible in our world today. It is available online, in apps on our phone, and most likely you have a Bible in your home. Open up God’s word today! If you are struggling as to where to start, just start today. You can find a free download of five reading plans here (http://www.sarahefrazer.com/writingplans).
2. Spend Time in Prayer
Prayer is our connection to God. Jeremiah 29:12 says, “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” Do you believe God hears you when you pray? He does! If you are struggling with prayer, try this prayer guide which offers 52 different prayer prompts and a nice journal to print off, for free.
3. Watch Encouraging Messages Online
One of the best things that has come from this coronavirus quarantine is that many ministries all over the world have offered their material in video or audio form—for free! Who do you like to follow on social media? Most likely if you go to their website or social media pages you can find encouraging videos from them. You can also check out these encouraging videos here.
4. Reach Out to Others
Who in your life might need encouragement right now? My heart has been heavy for those people who normally live isolated lives. Once this quarantine is over, a lot of us get to go back to our “normal” lives, but many people are stuck in isolation all of the time. Who do you know who needs a little comfort? Send them an email, give them a call on the phone, maybe write a hand-written note to them.
Reaching out to others helps with our own isolating feelings.
Intimacy Matters
God did not design us humans to live lives alone. Genesis 2:18 says God recognized the danger in being alone. It says, The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” God made us for community, but right now our communities are broken. If you’ve found yourself all alone, maybe you can change the narrative.
What if God uses this virus and time of isolation...to create in us a passion for Him? What if God is calling us out of a life of 'busy' to put us where we seek Him above all else? All of this could be to draw us closer to God. Isolation may try to label us unloved, unsteady, or unseen. God says, you are loved, you are safe, and you are seen.
Dive into intimacy with the Father today!
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