Lockdown lessons

Here's my article for the May magazines:

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.