Bloom where you're planted

I was listening to a very good message by Nicky Gumbel, when an unexpected and unwanted lie slid into my mind. God must love Nicky Gumbel more than me. Look what he’s achieved. Great big, well-known church in London and Alpha, such a fruitful worldwide ministry. He must be one of God’s favourites. What have I done? I don’t even know anyone famous and successful.

Before I tumbled down this slippery slope any further, I put the mental brakes on and called my treacherous mind back to the truth. I am unique – fearfully and wonderfully made. I’m the apple of my Father’s eye. I am who God wants me to be. I look the way God wants me to look and as Nicky Gumbel said in his message ‘I have been planted where God wants me to bloom.’ 

He was speaking about this in the context of the Israelites who had been exiled to Babylon. They were hoping the exile would soon be over and they could go back to how life used to be – back in Israel. Does this all sound every familiar in the context of the pandemic? 

God however spoke to them in Jeremiah 29 and told them to put down roots, build a life, pray for the city or place they had been sent to and then God said: For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29: 11 – 13 

God has great plans and purposes for us in these days. We are where he wants us to be. We can bloom and be fruitful right where we are. We don’t need things to go back to how they used to be. We don’t need to be rich and famous or even prominent to achieve what God has called us to be and do. We need to be faithful. 

One of my main focuses in life has been to raise our family and now they are grown up and there are grandchildren galore, there is much to pray for. There are 21 people in our own, immediate family! That takes some praying for. I may not have any daily responsibility for them. They may be scattered around the world but they are certainly not out of sight or out of mind. They are settled in my heart. I am praying not just for their salvation but they will, every one, be passionate about their relationship with God. I want to raise a generation of giant slayers. That’s where I have been called to bloom. 

God hasn’t called any of us to twiddle our spiritual thumbs and hope the pandemic will be over soon. He has called us to be a Godly influence where we are. Nicky Gumbel tells the story of the supermarket check out lady who sat at her till, got to know the names of her customers, listen to their stories and tell them she’d pray for them. When she died, the church was packed with these same customers coming to pay their respects for this lady, who had had such an impact on their lives - sitting at her till. 

We most certainly don’t need to be prominent to be significant. Our prayers, our conversations with family and friends can have the most enormous ripple effects. If we don’t make Jesus a topic of conversation with the people we know, who else is going to? When in trouble, people like someone who they think has a hotline to God to pray and advise them but helping them form their own relationship with God is so important. God has called us to bloom where he has planted us. It may not look very exciting, it may not be very prominent but it is significant if we make the most of our Godly relationship to pray and bring God’s presence into our circle of influence.

If I'd known ...

I was wondering recently what I would have done differently if someone had told us a terrible pandemic was coming which would affect the whole planet and completely transform our lives.

If I’d known we would be unable to travel and see family and friends, what might I have done? If I’d known that I couldn’t hug my children and grandchildren, how could I have prepared? If I’d know that going shopping would be very different, having to queue and wear masks. If I’d realised that even going to IKEA would turn into an awkward and unwelcome shopping experience. 

Queuing outside shops.

If I’d known that going to anywhere like a National Trust property would mean booking in advance, reduced numbers, social distancing, and then having to sit outside with a takeaway coffee and cake in the autumn chill, would I have stayed at home? If I’d known that social distancing meant treating everyone cautiously as a possible virus carrier and that our social life would be severely dented, what might I have done?

I feel as if we sleep walked into the pandemic, not having a clue what was facing us. At first it was quite enjoyable with the slow down in life but we didn’t have to home school children, while trying to work at home ourselves, in a small flat in the middle of a city. I didn’t lose my job nor was I furloughed. The pandemic is a great leveller. Everyone from the Queen to the humblest citizen had to stay at home unless they had an essential job, but it is the consequences now that have perhaps been the most shocking.  Our whole lives have not returned to what was normal and it does not look as if we will ever do so. 

What might I have done if I’d known?  I’m not sure there is anything I could really have done except perhaps been prepared mentally.  However that could have been counterproductive, as we may have imagined things far worse or quite differently. Someone recently asked why did God not warn us?  

I don’t know but the one thing God has promised and in my opinion has proved very faithful is that he will never leave us or forsake us.  My relationship with God, which was not that bad before, has deepened. I have never prayed as much or as strategically as I have in recent months. I have learned how to pray for nations and governments. I have learned to pray and trust God with the big things of life.  I have learned to be thankful for everything and maybe that is what I might have done if I’d known …I might have appreciated all that I had with a far greater depth of thankfulness. I may have valued everything and not taken so much for granted. 

I have also learned that ‘All things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.’   There is much good that has come out of this – the Church has emerged from its closed buildings onto the internet and has encountered so many more people. 

The Church, along with many others, has reached out to the poor and needy in our society. I remember the singing vicar who walked his streets singing Christian songs to encourage his parishioners. The Blessing has become an anthem of 2020. There have been many inspiring stories as people have reached out selflessly to those in need.

Abroad, those living in the greatest poverty before are living even more fragile lives once coronavirus hit their countries. It has been so good to stand with them in prayer and finance. 

There is now one absolutely certain fact. Everything has changed and almost certainly, nothing will go back to how it used to be.  Life may not be what I want, but I’m going to appreciate what I have now and take nothing for granted. It’s no point complaining; we still have much to be thankful for. 

God is working out a much bigger plan and purpose that should keep us focused, prayerful and expectant. We all have a part to play. The world needs Christians who can bring hope and life to those struggling with unemployment, debt, sickness and despair. There is a harvest out there and the Lord of the Harvest needs his harvesters ready with scythes and fishing nets. 

I never realised 2020 was going to be like this and none of us knows what 2021 might be like but even if the virus is still challenging our lives, still bringing unexpected and unwanted change, still confining us and making our relationships challenging, God is faithful and trustworthy. God is in control. 

Please leave a comment about what you might have done 'If I'd known ..."

Love never fails

Recently, I watched the film Quartet again. It is a funny and moving story surrounding an old people’s home for retired musicians. What a lovely idea. Every year they hold a concert to raise funds for the home and every musician who is still able takes part.

Into this scenario comes a retired diva to live in the home, once married to one of the other residents. The air crackles with tension which is gently resolved. The finale is four of the finest operatic voices from their day singing the Quartet from Rigoletto.

 

I love the film which is extremely witty and filled with uplifting music. However I knew nothing about the opera Rigoletto or its storyline. I was shocked therefore to discover it is all about the debauched court of an Italian duke. It is bawdy and frankly vulgar as well as being a story of betrayal, revenge and murder. It is a true tragedy.

 

How can such a terrible tale have such wonderful music? Everything evil wrapped around by everything enriching and beautiful. How can it be?

 

I immediately thought of the Garden of Eden – God’s paradise on Earth. Totally beautiful, perfect and everything that is good into which comes evil incarnate. Why did God permit the devil to enter his perfect world?

 

The answer is love.

 

William Shakespeare wrote ‘Love is not love that alters when alteration finds.’

 

God is love and he does not change even when evil comes into his perfect world.  True love is not fickle, it doesn’t give up. As we read 1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 8, we see what true love is really like.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.⁸ Love never fails.

The reality is that love has to be freely given and freely received.  Love permits terrible choices to be made - to choose evil over good even though the consequences are terrible.

 

God allowed the devil to deceive Eve even though the outworking would be tragic. If he had stopped her or not let the devil into the Garden, it would be a form of manipulation and control, not love. Eve’s decision, freely made, led to the destruction of so much of God’s incredible creation and cost the life of his Son.  

 

But love always wins. Romans 12: 21 says, Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Love overcomes even terrible wickedness. In the end God will have his way – he will restore his beautiful creation, planet Earth to the perfection he always intended. This time evil will be completely destroyed and Man, the highest of God’s creation, his redeemed ones who have freely chosen him, will inhabit this restored world for all eternity.

 

It never fails to move me deeply. The perfect Son of God killed in the most barbaric manner in order to save his wayward, sinful and uncaring creation, Man. That is true love.

Show not tell

As an author, I am constantly encouraged in my writing to ‘show not tell’.  This means that it is not enough to say ‘The sunset was beautiful.’ Far better to write, ‘the sun sank in a magnificent blaze of red, orange, and pink that stretched across the sky, before disappearing below the western horizon, ushering in the night.’

God is the master craftsman of ‘show not tell’. In the book of Genesis, God tells us about creation; what he created, but when we gaze upon the creation, seeing what God has shown us, it makes us exclaim like David,

When I consider your heavens,
   the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,    which you have set in place,

 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8: 3- 4

 Creation, despite man’s terrible plundering, abusing and despoiling of this ‘green and blue planet’,  it is still superb, glorious, stunning. The night sky unspoiled by light pollution has to be the light show to surpass all light shows.  There are times when I am literally speechless at the stunning beauty of majestic mountain ranges or overwhelmed by the chilly splendour of the polar regions in all their breath-taking snowiness or the loveliness of solitary marshland, winding rivers and estuaries.

Surely God shows us his glorious creativity in the sheer variety of birds, fish, reptiles and mammals that inhabit planet Earth. One of the creatures that most amuses me most is an extravagant black and white bug that hovers in the heat of South Africa, all quivering frills and tassels. It never fails to make me laugh. However it is fish that amaze me in their incredible diversity and when we think that most of them were unknown, concealed in the depths of the ocean until the technological advances of 20^th century brought them to our television screens. What an extravagant, magnificent Creator God we have!

However the greatness of Creation is nothing compared to how God has shown his love for us. 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5: 8. 

God did not wait for us to get our lives sorted or even turn to him. He initiated the great sacrifice of his life for ours whilst we were still sinners.

God so desired to restore man’s broken relationship with him that he was prepared to go to any lengths necessary.  It was love, incredible love that took Jesus to the cross and love that kept him on the cross.

How did this amazing gift come to us? By grace – the greatest demonstration of God’s love towards sinful man.  Simon Ponsonby writes: ‘Grace – abundant grace – grace is a gift. Grace is not grace if you earned it; a gift is not a gift if you bought it. Grace is not a reward, or a payment, or a due. It is outrageous, undeserved, unmerited, divine favour’.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.  Ephesians 2: 8- 9

We have nothing to bring to God, there is no sacrifice we can offer, no treasure that didn’t first come from him, all he asks of us is our love – that rather poor trickle of affection that draws us into the richest of relationship. In his arms we truly learn how valued, loved, appreciated, adored and precious we are to him.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  1 John 3: 1.

God is showing us the greatest treasure of all – his love. He doesn’t tell us how much he loves us, he shows us through Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, taking our punishment, forgiving our sins and as we surrender our lives to him, he takes us on the greatest adventure of all -  the discovery of our true identity as children of God and the amazing plan and purpose he has for our lives.

The benefit of hindsight of lockdown

I have a confession to make. Looking back, I really enjoyed the first few weeks of lockdown, with a few exceptions. For the first time in ages we had to slow down, we had to re-evaluate our lives and all the things we rush around for had to fall away, and we focused on just the things that really matter to us; keeping in touch with family and friends, taking a daily walk, enjoying the countryside.  I loved the spring weather, beautiful flowers and green leaves budding, the quietness and hearing the birdsong, but most of all having more time to spend with Jesus every day. 

I’m retired so I don’t have the hassle of going to work, but life can nevertheless be pretty busy and now I had space and time.  Others of you may have been seriously challenged with having to work from home and home school your children, or keep bored teenagers in rein. Some of you may have been frightened by the virus or fallen ill but every single one of us has had our life fundamentally shifted.

Some may not have enjoyed the whole lockdown, but I know many have thanked God for it and the ability it has given us to reassess our life and priorities.

This last week I fell back into my old ways, trying to fill every waking moment with something. God had to really speak to me and ask ‘do I really want this or do I want to go back to a more measured life?’ My new normal, my new reset means I am not going to fill every single hour with something but I’m going to slow down, but most of all focus on Jesus, have quality time with him. I need the space to have time to do things well, to think and to spend with people, not squeeze them into my other activities.

So I encourage you, what’s your new normal, what’s your reset. Is it to rush off to the beaches with everyone else, to be first in the queue at the restaurants, pubs and clubs? Or is it to say that this lockdown has had a fundamental effect on my life and one I want to take into my new normal, to live at a more measured, more meaningful, more fruitful pace.

It reminds me of the passage I keep coming back to in Joshua 3: 2 - 4.  After three days the officers went throughout the camp, ³ giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. ⁴ Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. 

The Israelites had to follow the ark because they had never been that way before. The ark represents for us the presence of God through his Holy Spirit.  If we’re going to follow him effectively, then we must take time to be with him and find out where he is going and what he is doing. None of us have been this way before.

This lockdown has given me the time to re-evaluate my life and it has been liberating. Your life will be different but I hope you too have been able to reassess your priorities and the things that really matter to you. I trust your relationship with God is closer, more trusting and more loving; that you have an increasing revelation of God’s love for you and what he is calling you to.

God has an amazing plan for his people, he is taking us to places we have never been before. The most important thing is that we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and that we follow the Holy Spirit.

Social distancing to bring the presence of God

² After three days the officers went throughout the camp, ³ giving orders to the people: ‘When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. ⁴ Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.’ Joshua 3: 2 – 4

River Jordan today

When the Israelites set out to cross the Jordan, God gave very specific instructions about what to do. He would provide the miracle of drying up the River Jordan, which was in full flood. The Israelites just had to follow the ark into the riverbed and cross over. However there was one important instruction, they must keep a distance of 2000 cubits or 900 metres. That is quite a distance.

When reading this recently, I immediately thought of social distancing. In the UK at this time, due to COVID19, everyone must keep two meters apart.  Both instructions to keep distance are for people’s safety. At this virus time, it is to reduce the possibility of catching the disease. When crossing the Jordan it was to avoid accidentally touching or coming into contact with the ark.

The ark represented the presence of God, which is both holy and precious. Not something to be treated casually. Uzzah discovered to his cost that touching the ark, no matter how well intended, meant the loss of his life (2 Samuel 6).

God made sure with his social distancing there was absolutely no chance of anyone coming near the ark. At 900 meters away people could hardly see the ark, let alone get close to it. Don’t forget the Israelites had all their children, sheep and goats to cross over, and none of these have any idea about social distancing. Giving a clearance of 900 meters meant that even a flock of wayward sheep could be retrieved, before they became entangled in the priests holding up the ark in the middle of the riverbed. 

Even today, God’s holy presence is still not something to be treated lightly or casually. As we pursue God, to draw nearer and know him better, his presence will still kill the flesh. This is a good thing if we are prepared, but are we ready for what may have to go? Our preferences, opinions, prejudices will be exposed, and will need to be placed on the altar if we are serious about seeking the presence of God. Consider what sacred cows we may have that will need to be sacrificed.  However everything we give to God will seem to be very unimportant when we have the very presence of Jesus instead.

Our lifestyles may have been significantly altered by the virus, but if the presence of God comes in manifest power and glory, not just our lives, but society itself will be even further changed. Isn’t this what we desire? To bring the very presence of Jesus to a hurting, dying world with great signs and wonders. But it is costly.

The Welsh and Hebridean revivals showed that society was fundamentally altered, and not everyone liked it. Those who lived through those revivals though, and embraced God’s presence had their lives transformed till the day they died.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12: 1

Presence in the days ahead

God tests our hearts in Life’s transitional moments, because the priorities we set at gear-change times can fix our course for years to come. Peter Grieg Dirty Glory

There is no doubt that this season of virus and lockdown has been a gear-change moment for all of us. Most of us have had the opportunity to re-evaluate our priorities, what and how we spend our time and with whom. Many Christians have taken the opportunity to reconnect with God in fresh ways. This has been an occasion of spiritual encounter and as we have experienced his presence, it has been wonderfully re-invigorating.

The question now is ‘What next?’ As lockdown eases and we start life in our new normal with different working practices, less travel, children starting to return to school, meeting family and friends again, how are these fresh experiences of God, these spiritual encounters and his presence going to affect us? We have two choices I believe. Settle or move on.

When Peter and John were immersed in the glory of the Transfiguration, they wanted to settle and build shelters for everyone. But Jesus had a calling to fulfil. He had not finished his teaching ministry, let alone his ultimate destination of the cross and resurrection. Refreshed he moved on back down the mountain and into his destiny.

We can take our new normal and add the presence of God to it, or we can make the presence of God the priority. I want the presence of God to lead me and shape the days ahead.

Gear change moments are incredibly important. The decisions and practices we establish in this new era, will dictate how life pans out in the future. This may feel like a wonderful new normal, less travel, opportunities for more family and friends time but without the presence of Jesus going before us, they will soon feel just as faded and jaded as the old times. Of course you may be in the midst of great uncertainty with your work, huge stresses with your family but how much more do we need to seek the presence of Jesus to carry us in the insecurities of the days ahead?

As Joshua and the Israelites stood on the banks of the River Jordan ready to move into the Promised Land, this is what happened.

² After three days the officers went throughout the camp, ³ giving orders to the people: ‘When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. ⁴ Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. Joshua 3: 2 – 4

None of us have been this way before. We’ve never experienced a virus like this. We’ve never been confined to our homes for weeks before and we’ve come out of this season unsure of the way ahead. However the one thing we must do is follow the presence. God will guide us.

This is the time to discern God’s voice. I believe he is calling each of us into his new normal and that may require stepping out of the boat onto the water.  Not squeezing God into our changed schedules but making God the destination.

Moses got it. Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. ¹⁶ How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

¹⁷ And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

¹⁸ Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” Exodus 33: 15 - 18

You see what distinguishes us from everyone else is not going to church, having cleaner lips, spending our money better, being kinder. It is God’s presence. As we seek God for his presence it will overflow into every area of our lives, touching all those we come into contact with.

However like Moses, let us also be people who having experienced his presence now say ‘Show me your glory.’

Reset for Righteousness

On the eve of Pentecost, as we consider the unusual season that we have found ourselves in, one of the many things that the prophetic voices have been saying is that God is calling this a time of reset and more than that, a reset for righteousness.

This virus and the lockdown that has followed has given not only society but also Christians and the church the opportunity to re-evaluate every aspect of life.  The world has much to say about the changes that have occurred in working practices, family life, shopping, eating, entertainment and exercise and my prayer is that society will be irrevocably changed for the better.  Selfishness has taken the back seat into a far greater care for one another and thankfulness for some of our institutions like NHS and teachers. There are also the bigger benefits of cleaner air, less noise from traffic and planes, and an appreciation for nature.  Exercise is one area that has grown exponentially and I love seeing families out together walking, running or cycling and I pray this will continue into the days ahead. 

The Church too and our lives as Christians have also been greatly impacted. Not many had heard of Zoom three months ago. We are now all experts at joining church, small groups and prayer meetings online. The vast array of Christian material that is available online has meant access and often the time to feast on this banquet.

But what does reset for righteousness mean for us individually as Christians?  This is the time to re-evaluate our priorities. Some may be busier than before but for many we now have quality time to spend each day with the Lord which helps to really refresh our relationship with God. Everyone with children has now experienced the reality of spending 24/7 with their family. This can cause stresses and strains but I have been so blessed to hear of families spending time together praying or reading the Word as well as enjoying family life. This has also been a time of prioritising and building relationships. We may not be able to meet our extended family, friends or church face to face but we can still chat, eat and pray together online.

One of the phenomenal blessing to the nation

 This is a time to develop thankfulness - for technology, for our church family, for the NHS, for the beauty of nature, things we may just not have had time or energy to appreciate fully before.

This is not the time to be looking back with longing to how things were. As God says in Isaiah 43: 18 – 19

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

This is a second opportunity to do things right – to save the planet from our selfish disregard for nature and the environment, to care for others, to be less selfish and as Christians it is the perfect time to be preparing for the coming era by making sure we have oil in our lamps, that our relationship with God is fresh and vibrant, that we have dug deep into the Word and have been encouraged, instructed and filled afresh by the Holy Spirit.

There is going to be a new look for this planet, a new look for society and a new look for the Church. Are we getting ready for this new era? Are we standing ready to play our role? Have we evaluated our lives letting the old habits that produced so many stresses drop away and letting the new way of thinking, of life, of godliness rise up? Let’s hit the reset and be ready.

Be still and know that I am God

Be still and know that I am God Psalm 46: 10

In these days of COVID-19 these words could not be more important. Our worlds have been shaken. Nothing is the same and it is vital that we ‘Be still and know that I am God.’

Stillness is not something that comes easily to those of us raised in the west. Our lives are designed to be ‘Go, go, go’. We are encouraged to be active physically and mentally. No time to sit around. Too much to do. And yet God invites us to come and be still.

In these unique days, our life may have ground to a halt, our job lost or on furlough or at the other extreme we are expected to do our job as well as home school the children who are now with us 24/7. In either extreme being still does not seem to be an option. Either our minds are in mental turmoil or our days are so cluttered that taking time out to be still seems plain ridiculous and yet that is God’s invitation or is it a command?

Many years ago when we had four children, having a quiet time to be with God did not seem to be an option. I longed for it and I cried out to God to show me how in the busyness of life, I could possibly set some time aside for him. He showed me that after school the children came home and for half an hour they were occupied. I snuck off into our tiny study, left the door open in case I was needed and for half ah hour I spent the most wonderful time with him.

God knows our heart and will make a way. On the other hand years later I was snowed under at work, I was exhausted and God kept persistently asking me to get up half an hour earlier to spend time with him. It seemed madness but after arguing with God for months, I set the alarm for half an hour earlier and again in those precious times, I met with God in such a way that I was carried through those stressful days.

However you may find you have an unaccustomed amount of time to be with God. Make the most of it. Your day with be shaped and blessed by this time because it is not enough just to be still, we are exhorted to ‘know that I am God.’  Knowing in the Bible does not mean learning 100 new facts about God. Knowing means experiencing.  ‘Be still and experience God.’ That is a treasure worth seeking out.

Experiencing God, his love, his grace, his kindness, his forgiveness, his acceptance, his approval are gems worth pursuing. There is no obvious end product in terms of goals achieved but the change in our life and well-being are priceless.

These are unusual days. The whole world is being shaken but we can be safe and secure in the knowledge that God is for us, God is in control. When these days are past, the world will be a different place but hopefully we too will be in a different place with a relationship with God that is firm and secure, where we have a greater understanding of who we are.

God has plans and purposes that he is working out and we have our part to play. We are not designed to sit idle but to be busy about the Lord’s business. This comes though through the great paradox of Be still and know that I am God.

A New Normal?

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16: 33

There have been all manner of posts, blogs, vlogs extolling the great virtues to us of the effect of the virus on our lives and how it has benefitted the planet – pollution down, wildlife able to roam more freely, the ability to hear birdsong in the quiet and so on. These are all wonderful things though they must be counterbalanced by sickness, death, loss of jobs and an inability to meet family and friends face to face, all of which are taking their toll.

I wondered though about the spiritual benefits and difficulties to Christians and the Church. All the church buildings in UK have had to close but that does not mean the Church has gone into hibernation. In fact it seems that the Church is flourishing.

Many churches are now providing a Sunday service online and even those whose churches do not have a service, have an overwhelming choice to join other church services. Even those with no internet may be provided for with sermons on CD. What is fascinating is how many people watch these online services – far more than go to the church building on a Sunday.

Worship has always been freely available online but now musicians are being incredibly creative in exploring how to knit together musicians and singers separated in person but one virtually. There are some wonderful worship hymns and songs out there. 

Small groups too can easily meet online during the week to strengthen and encourage one another and most churches are being very diligent in making sure their flocks are being looked after in every way. Phone calls, online chats and even popping by to drop off supplies can mean the lonely get to see a familiar face.

Families are meeting together to pray and read the Bible. Churches are having daily devotionals posted online to keep their flock strong. 

Prayer meetings are flourishing online and more people seem to be attending these than would normally go to the church building. Taking communion together online is another novel experience. There are even online Alpha courses. Children are having their own devotionals posted online to keep them strong.

Many, including children, are experiencing visions and dreams – though a word of caution – not everything that says it is from the Lord, is from above. One wise person said to me that there was far too many dubious opinions about the virus, how it started and when it might end, and what God is doing that he is just staying in the Word.

There is also no doubt that people are far more open to the Gospel and the amount of media attention given to the real meaning of Easter here in UK was amazing. The Queen, bless her, can be relied upon to gently but clearly show the importance of her faith and love for the Lord.

All this is fantastic and I love how the Church has stepped up to the challenge in incredibly creative ways to manage this unique situation and come out well. This leads though to the need for an exit strategy for the church as well as the nation. How will church look when we are released back into freedom? If it is business as usual, we have missed something. Surely this is a training time to grow in our own faith when isolated physically from other believers and to find fresh ways to reach more people with the Gospel who might not come through church doors.

New Christians are not used to going to church on Sunday mornings and may prefer to have an online church at a different time. Parents of young children will certainly like online small groups meaning they do not need babysitters.

An online Alpha course where you and your friend can meet together with others may be very appealing to those unused to church.

If more people prefer online prayer and let’s face it there has never been as much prayer as there is now, this has to be something to pursue. I have been involved in an online prayer meeting for years, long before the virus broke out, and we come together each week from all over the UK and even aboard.

The options available to the Church seem to be limitless and I feel it is so important that we pray into the future and what our own church needs to be exploring and how the Church in the nation needs to maintain the momentum generated by this crisis and resist every temptation to go back to how things were before.  There is no doubt this is a new day, a new season, no turning back, no turning back. This is the day for a new normal.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.²⁰ The wild animals honour me, the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen ²¹ the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise. Isaiah 43: 19 – 21

Overcoming fear in fearful times

When we were leading a youth missions and outreach group, one of the founding principles was to instil in the young people a faith that worked.  It was no good knowing that God was your provider if you could not trust him to provide to go on a mission trip. It was not enough to know that God was the healer if you could not pray with any level of confidence or faith that God heals. It was not sufficient to know that God has given us his gifts, if we secretly believe that He doesn’t use us. 

One of the most amazing things was seeing these young people move out in increasing faith to believe that God would use and provide for them and He did.  

I believe it is a similar scenario today concerning the virus.  Many churches and ministries are reaching out online, by phone, email, WhatsApp and all manner of social media to make sure we are connected and supported. It is all fantastic and I cannot recommend them enough. We must follow all the reputable advice from both world and spiritual sources. But what is our response as individual Christians to the days we find ourselves in? 

There seem to be some major fears surrounding the virus – fear of death, fear of sickness and fear of lack.  As Christians we do not live in fear but faith. These are days though when we have to put our faith into action. Let us never forget:

The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.

 Great is the Lord in Zion;  he is exalted over all the nations.
Let them praise your great and awesome name – he is holy. Psalm 91:1 – 3 

Despite what is happening, God is still enthroned and in control.

The first thing we can do is deal with our own fear. We can never help others when we are bound by fear. A great start is to declare Scriptures such as these out loud .

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1: 7

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26: 3

Then let’s deal with each of these fears one by one.

Fear of death. The world is terrified of death but as Christians we do not need to fear death. It is not a dreaded unknown, we know where we will be and with whom. It is not a door to fear but a doorway to a wonderful new life for eternity with Jesus. How amazing is that? We may not feel ready yet for death but Paul wrote For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1: 21). He couldn’t decide which was better; to stay with everyone and continue his ministry or to go to the Lord I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far (Philippians 1: 23). Paul knew being with the Lord was better by far. 

We will all die sometime. What is vital is that we know where we go when we die. This virus is a great opportunity to speak to fearful people about the Lord, the Prince of Peace.

Fear of sickness. God said ‘ I am the Lord who heals you.’   Jesus showed throughout his ministry that he was the healer, he healed everyone (Matthew 4: 24) and we see that throughout the New Testament the disciples continued the ministry of healing.  Can I state one thing here? God did not send this virus as a judgement to the earth or any particular nation. Jesus came to heal the sick, not bring sickness. There is no sickness in heaven. Sickness is a result of the Fall and the devil’s activity. God loves people. None of us would bring sickness to our beloved family to teach them a lesson. Why would God?  

We can pray confidently for God to protect us using Psalm 91 or by taking communion each day. Remember that by his wounds, we are healed (Isaiah 53: 5). As we take the bread let us approach God confidently for healing; his perfect body took our sicknesses and exchanged them for health and wellbeing. As we take the cup, let us pray the blood of Jesus over our families and loved ones, our leaders and our nation. The blood is a sign of the New Covenant that God will be our God and will protect and look after us.

Fear of lack. The Bible has so much to say that we never need to fear going short.. God is Jehovah Jireh – our provider. Just look at Luke 6: 38 or 2 Corinthians 9: 38 which in the context of giving says And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. God will provide for us.

God is for us. Let’s have a faith worth living for, faith that works. Let us bring our fears to him and let him stir faith in our hearts that we can trust God in these difficult days to not only be all we need, but to enable us to bring the hope of Jesus to those living in fear at this time.