When I was young there was a craze for 'Choose your own Adventure'
books, stories which offered the reader the chance to choose what the
characters did and so there were a number of alternative stories and
endings. I feel like I should write a similar article for this
month: one where the lockdown continues and one where it is lifted!
However, I'm going to assume that some sort of restrictions will be
in place when you read this, especially if it's at the beginning of
the month.
When I wrote my last article COVID-19 was just starting to become a
concern outside of China – how much has changed since then! The
restrictions we face are a real source of worry for a lot of people,
with many fearful about where they can get food from, whether they or
loved ones will survive and what their future economic prospects are
going to be. And I know already how this situation is adding further
pain to those who are grieving.
Whilst acknowledging all of that, it is also important to think about
what we're learning from this time. And the lessons often fall into
two categories: we're learning what we can live without and what we
can't. Toilet roll is one of those things a lot of people think they
can't live without, but really human interaction is one of the major
things we need. And we have been discovering many different ways of
connecting with people: alongside letters, cards and phonecalls we've
connected through the internet and putting pictures up in windows and
clapping outside at various times. However, these aren't as good as
face-to-face interactions. Some of the things we can live without (at
least for a short time) are days out, certain types of shopping and
even some jobs!! I'm sure you can think of more in each category!
And as a church we've also been learning those lessons. Worship has
continued in various ways online but we have learnt that although our
buildings are not essential they are very important, because virtual
gathering is not as good as physical gathering. And although we can
pray to God anywhere at any time – there is something special about
praying in a place where people have prayed for centuries. And
through it all we learn the most important lesson – we need God.
There
are many times in the Bible where God has taught his people to rely
on him in difficult times, the forty years in the desert and Job's
life are two examples. At the end of this month, wherever we are, we
will be celebrating Pentecost – the coming of the Holy Spirit todisciples in lockdown. Paul would write from prison “I
will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and
God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to
me will turn out for my deliverance” (Phillipians 1:19-20). And if
we ask that same Spirit is available to each of us whether or not
we're in lockdown.
