Relationships Matter – Alli Hill

Social. Distancing. Two words that, before 2020, seemed to somehow not go together at all. Yet here we are, in February of 2021, still feeling the effects of our socially-distanced pandemic year. Many of us have lost loved ones, church members, friends, or have at least ministered to those grappling with the permanent heartache brought on by such a cruel, unexpected virus. We, along with all of creation, groan for Christ’s return when all will be made new (Romans 8:21-23), while at the same time knowing nothing in 2020 took God by surprise.

We are relational beings, created to enjoy righteous fellowship with God and man. Social distancing is not what we were made to do. Churches were not meant to meet solely online, nor were families to stay away from each other and friends and neighbors. Children shouldn’t live fearful and isolated. Grandparents were never meant to be viewed through the exterior windows of their long-term care facilities. God never intended that our relationships be virtual or distanced.

I am a pastor’s wife and pastor’s daughter, writing to fellow ministers’ wives, missionaries, and women in ministry. I certainly understand how incredibly difficult this year has been for families in ministry in particular. My family moved to a new town and a new church in February of 2020, having no idea how upside down the coming months would seem.

We all felt pressure to remake our typical gatherings or usual ministry calendars to comply with local governing authorities. But, many smaller churches do not have the resources to offer virtual options. Perhaps during this push to online life, you have felt the pressure for your personal social media accounts to become places of ministry and spiritual nourishment for others. Perhaps you may have carried the weight of guilt that you are not “doing enough” for the kingdom during this season. I want to encourage you with a simple truth that has given me much peace over the past several months: God has not made us responsible for the virtual masses. He calls us to be faithful right where we are planted, one person at a time.

For me, it has meant the four little faces around my breakfast table (two of which I’m homeschooling) have been placed in my daily life to love and disciple as unto the Lord. Our new, sweet neighbors we were blessed to meet just five weeks before the country went on lockdown were given to us as good gifts by God. We are still getting to know our new church family, but they are already dear to us because we pressed into these real relationships right in front of us.

Ministry life has been significantly different in our new town. Yet, I see God’s hand at work in the many new relationships we have made even during a pandemic. We may be connected to hundreds (if not thousands) of people online. Still, virtual connections do not measure up to actual in-person relationships. As someone who has had a social media account since the eleventh grade, I have had to learn to unplug from the “world out there” and dig down deeper right where I’m planted.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think virtual platforms are all wrong! I’m writing to you in the format of a blog post, after all. I simply want to encourage you with the truth that faithfulness to God in the mundane, small acts of love, often unseen by the masses, pleases our Father.

The truth is, relationships do matter. Real relationships matter the most. Being the hands and feet of Christ necessitates a nearness and togetherness that cannot be fully recreated in the virtual world. God has given you everything you need to do His will, wherever you live and whatever the circumstances, for His glory. Do not let the pressures and stresses of an uncertain world tell you otherwise. He is faithful, and He is enough.

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV)

Alli Hill and her husband, Gentry, live in Camden, Arkansas, and have four children. Gentry serves as the Senior Pastor of Camden First Baptist Church. Alli serves alongside him in different ministry areas. She is passionate about teaching women to love and know their Bibles. Both she and her husband were raised in pastors’ homes, and they love the local church. They desire to see God’s people live out God’s plan in His world.