See One Another In Person!

November 20, 2025

See One Another In Person!

I knew several people who died with Covid.  Some of them died with family camped out in the hospital parking lot because family members were not allowed inside the hospital.  Their loved one died without family or friends by their side.  It was an awful time!

The response to Covid encouraged…sometimes demanded…people isolate themselves from one another.  We are still suffering with the mental, emotional, and spiritual impact of our response to that disease.  The number of people suffering with loneliness, isolation, and depression is still far too high.

One of the things that happened during Covid is people spent much less time in face-to-face conversations at work, with friends, and with all kinds of other appointments.  During that time, I was doing most of my meetings, employment interviews, and medical appointments on a computer. 

Although the lack of face-to-face meetings and appointments worked to some degree, it was obvious there was something lacking in my interactions with other people.  I finally reached the point where I dreaded Zoom (one software used for on-line conversations) meetings.  I was longing for face-to-face conversations!

I understand the Apostle Paul’s desire to engage in a face-to-face conversation with some of the Christ-followers in first century Rome.  Of course, Paul had written letters and sent messages by courier to the churches in Rome.  But, it was not the same as being their in person.

In Romans 1:10 Paul writes; “…asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you.”  For Paul, it was always better to meet with people face-to-face.  In his first letter to the church in Thessalonica, he makes two comments about visiting with the Christ-followers in-person.

In I Thessalonians 2:17 Paul writes; “As for us, brothers and sisters, when for a short time we were made orphans by being separated from you—in person, not in heart—we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face.”

In I Thessalonians 3:10 Paul reiterates his conviction.  He writes; “Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.”

The Apostle John also valued face-to-face conversations with other believers.  In III John 1:14 he writes; “…instead, I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face.”

The reality is that each of us are more than an image on a screen or a voice on a speaker.  Each of us is more than a “friend” on Facebook or a resume on LinkedIn or a few words on a text or email.  We are living and breathing children of God who long to be in face-to-face (in-person!) relationships with other people. 

Anything less than face-to-face engagement is simply less than what we really need.  True, we can get along with a letter, a text, a FaceTime chat, a Zoom meeting, an e-mail, etc.  But ultimately, we need other people that we can see and touch and hear and smell and even taste.

In the opening of his letter to the churches in Rome, the Apostle Paul tells the Christ-followers he is praying God will see a way for him to see them face-to-face soon.  Doing so, would mean a lot to Paul and it would mean a lot to the Christ-followers in Rome.

We need one another, especially our family and our friends.  I wonder if there is someone you have not seen face-to-face in a while. 

+Is there a longing to see your friend in-person? 

+Is there something to celebrate that would be best done in-person?

+Is there a word of comfort or consolation that could be offered best in-person?

+Is there a need to offer a word of correction or guidance that is more effectively done in-person?

+Is there a need to give or receive forgiveness that would best be done in-person?

Imagine the delight you would bring to that person if you took the time today to set a time to meet with that person face-to-face.  You could honor them, respect them, and care for them even more. 

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug