“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus
” (Phil 2:4–5).

Under threat, scarcity and stress human persons understandably become self-protective. We turn inward. And yet, the demands of these days call us outward. The needs of those around us—whether children, aged parents, neighbors, spouse, those who are sick—require our time and energy. This puts us in a bind. We want or need to move outward in love to others, especially those in greatest need, but our own internal resources feel strained and thin. What is the way of Jesus in such a time as this?

First, we must remember that we are disciples of the living, ascended, and enthroned Jesus. When Jesus called his disciples to go and make disciples, they did not make disciples (that is, students/learners) of themselves. Rather, Jesus called them to announce the availability of an ongoing discipleship relationship with himself. Every Christian is currently in an intensive, interactive, discipleship relationship with the person of Jesus, and that school of discipleship is always in session. The Jesus who said, “And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age,” remains/abides with us by his Spirit. When we are tempted to isolate and turn inwards, we need to repeatedly turn our gaze to the availability of Jesus. Throughout our days we need to develop the habit—now more than ever—of finding encouragement and comfort in the real presence of Christ’s love (Phil 2:1).

The author of Hebrews writes, “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who
has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:1–2). The Apostle Paul urges the same orientation of mind, “seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1). We are exhorted to fix our mind’s eye on King Jesus, who is seated in a position of rest, power, and all authority. Jesus is not pacing back and forth, wringing his hands, and wondering what to do. Our Lord, savior, friend and lover is paying attention to us, the human situation, our needs, and the needs of those around the world. We need to pay attention to him—fixing our eyes, setting our minds, abiding—while we attend to the news, our needs and the needs of those around us

I have been consistently struck by this quote from W. H. Auden, “Choice of attention—to pay attention to this and ignore that—is to the inner life what choice of action is to the outer. In both cases man is responsible for his choice and must accept the consequences. As Ortega y Gasset said: ‘Tell me to what you pay attention, and I will tell you who you are.’” More than anything or anyone else, disciples of Jesus pay attention to the one who pays attention to them.

Returning one’s gaze to the competent gaze of Jesus throughout one’s day is not simply a nice idea. Discipleship to Jesus is a learning way (Matt 11:28–30). With Jesus’ leading and the aid of his people down through the ages, we make tangible plans to reorient our minds to Christ and his Father’s kingdom resources in the midst of daily life.

One practice to consider is turning our palms upward at various times and praying with the Canaanite woman, “Lord, help me” (Matt 15:25) or with blind Bartimaeus, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mk 10:47). Or we might consider meditatively praying the Lord’s Prayer morning, noon, and evening. The stanza “Give us this day our daily bread” will seem more relevant than ever. I was once encouraged to give three breaths to the Lord—a holy pause—each time I sit down to answer email. “I give you the next three breaths, Lord.” Perhaps as we take in news updates, we could imagine presenting the need or concern to Christ seated at the right hand of the Father. Additionally, short prayers of lament can aid us in bringing our loss, anger, and confusion to God: “How long, O Lord?” (Ps 13:2), “Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?” (Ps 10:1), “Why do you sleep, O Lord?” (Ps 44:23), “Come quickly, Lord, to help me” (Ps 40:13), “Lord, have mercy on us,” (Matt 20:21), and “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matt 26:39). These are not practices that are meant to take us out of the moment. Instead, they are practices that allow us to remain in the moment in a faithful, redemptive, life-giving way.

A second essential element of discipleship to Jesus that must be remembered always and especially in these times is that disciples of Jesus never minister alone. As Mark’s gospel records, “And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two” (Mk 6:7). The one time the Gospels record a disciple doing something alone is when Judas goes to betray Jesus. The point is a much broader one and is summed up in this, “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Gen 2:18). Particularly in times when we are tempted to turn inward, we must intentionally engage practices of Christian friendship and community. Our sisters and brothers in Christ are essential for our spiritual health and growth. We will not make it without them and we will certainly not serve others consistently or well without them. In the best of times we appear to do alright in independence and autonomy, but we are only fooling ourselves. The busyness and distraction of “normal times” keeps hidden our desperate need for spiritual family and the dire consequences of loneliness. Again, the writer of Hebrews: “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb 10:25).

What do practices of “meeting together” look like in the time of coronavirus? Of course, follow all the mandates and recommendations of your local health authorities given your age and health status. As you social distance, shelter in place, and quarantine, do not give in to the inner pull to withdraw emotionally. Allow yourself, as best you can, to feel the loss of community, the sadness of not meeting in person, the ache of loneliness. And with those vulnerable feelings, communicate your longing and pain to those you miss. Whether by letter, phone, text, or video, let those close to you—or those you realize are closer than you thought—know that their connection is a significant part of your life. Perhaps you can make a card, write a poem or simply send a text message that expresses your heart for connection. That expression of relational need will itself be life-giving and will, Lord willing, be received and returned. As Paul says, “For I long to see you
that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine” (Rom 1:11–12). Paul expresses his longing for mutual connection and there is mutual encouragement even in his expression of that desire.

Then, in ways that are appropriate to your level of social distancing, spend time with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Would it be safe and appropriate to walk six feet apart around the block? Could you meet at a local park or nature center for a conversation at either end of a picnic table? Could you walk by a friends’ house and have a conversation from porch to sidewalk? Of course there is always phone, text, and online connection. And for those of us blessed to be sheltered with family or roommates, now is the time to take the next step in encouraging one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. In various ways, “Let us not neglect meeting together
.” Our ongoing discipleship to Jesus depends on finding ways to hold onto one another emotionally, even if not physically, during this time.

As it turns out, discipleship in the time of coronavirus is like discipleship to Jesus at any other time. Disciples fix their eyes on Jesus and do so alongside their fellow-disciples (even if 3–6 feet apart). And yet, in a time when emotional withdrawal and isolation are both tempting and real, practices of attending to the presence of Jesus and attending to others are urgently needed. Perhaps one of the opportunities of these days is that we do not have the luxury to “play Christian” or “play church.” The realities of the moment force our hands. Turning and returning to the presence of Jesus and the presence of his people is the way of Jesus in these times and always.