A gloriously sunny day, on this Friday, 10th April 2020. It is in fact Good Friday and I sat down to write a blog about how I up cycled a couple of chairs this week, but I have been in a very reflective mood over the past few weeks and just felt compelled to write about today.
For those reading this currently, I am sure you will identify with so much that is going on in my mind and spirit. And for those reading this at some time in the future, I believe that you will think back to these strange days we find ourselves in with a set of emotions so individual to each of us, yet so communal in our sharing and understanding that we can transport ourselves back to today.
In the UK, we have now been in Lock down for 3 weeks and it is strange to say the least. I am fine on one day and keeping myself busy at home with diy jobs, baking, crafting, painting, gardening, running, walking the dog and then suddenly one day, I am so restless that I find myself walking around the house aimlessly.
I realise that on those days, I am trying to do things in my own strength (which really isn't very much). On the days that I intentionally submit the day to God, thanking Him for all that we have and all that we are, asking Him to guide and direct my day, those days are the ones where my Spirit is light, because I know that God is in control. Since this outbreak has hit England, I have regularly woken up with the words of the song Way Maker going through my mind and this has become my refrain for this period.
We do not understand why this Covid-19 virus has hit the world now, but it has and the best we can do is simply to submit to authority - God's and the government's! Social distancing is a foreign concept, but we are a creative people and it is time now that we reach out to our friends and family around us, those people in our villages, the elderly and vulnerable, strangers who need help. When we stand in unity we can achieve so much more than when we try to do things on our own. Now is the time to stand together.
I have many friends and family who are literally on the Frontline, from doctors, nurses, carers, teachers, researchers to all those other essential jobs; farmers, shop workers, delivery drivers, and so many more. We salute you and we thank you for your dedication and commitment to the frontline!
But back to Good Friday. It is a very special day we celebrate as Christians, marking the day that Jesus died on the cross for our sins to set us free and give us life everlasting.
John 3:16 says "For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him, may not perish but have life everlasting"
It saddens me to think of all the many lives that have been lost to Covid-19 across the world. But this is also a perfect time to stand up and say that Jesus not only died for me , but for you!!
If you have a personal relationship with Jesus, lean in to Him, He is the source of our strength and wisdom. If you do not know who Jesus is, why not take some time to find out for yourself. Connect with your local church, if you do not know where to start. After all, what have we got to loose and what might we gain?
May The Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Much love
René xx