Tears, for those who have died.
Locked doors, as we cannot visit others, and the locked doors of our church.
Uncertainty and doubt as we are unsure about why.
This might sum up the effect of the Coronavirus epidemic but, as the former Bishop of Durham Tom Wright points out in his book ‘God and the Pandemic’, these were exactly the conditions that gave birth to the church and the new life we are all living as Christians. In St John’s account of what happened immediately after the resurrection [chapter 20], we see: the tears of Mary Magdalene as she weeps outside the empty tomb; the disciples hiding behind locked doors, afraid of what others might do to them; and Thomas’ incredulity as he cannot believe that this really is Jesus. It was from this sadness, fear and doubt that the Church’s joy, confidence and faith were born as the Lord transformed what seemed like tragedy into something totally new.
If we look at God’s leading through history, he has always led his people from the safe and familiar to something new and better, usually through discomfort and suffering. Each time, He has taught us something more about Himself even if this is not obvious until later. Leaving Egypt into the wilderness; going into exile; the rejection of Peter and Paul’s teaching that led to the inclusion of the gentiles into His people. When you think of it, this theme has been the same throughout history, such as the way that the suffering of the Second World War that has given us the world we now live in. If you look, you might find that it’s the same in your individual life. Out of the old, no matter how familiar and comforting. Into the new, however challenging and expanding.
During lockdown, you sometimes hear the phrase “the new normal”, and that when we eventually do return to ‘normal’, it will never be quite as it was. Of course, we would like it to be, but God is leading us on into new things. All our familiar age-old ideas and practices were once the ‘new normal’. When the pandemic is over, it will be just like returning home after years away- yes, those familiar landmarks will be there [such as hymns!], but the things we have learned during lockdown will add a new depth to what we do.
Lest this all seems a bit scary, we remember that God moves forward with His plans now by replacing the old with the new, but by ever renewing the old, which is the story of His love for us. So as we approach an Advent that will be different than before, yet also the same as always, we hum [and look forward to singing!]:
“Shine forth and let thy light restore Earth’s own true loveliness once more.”
Dear God, you are the Lord of time and of history. You lead us into the unknown, to new challenges and new revelations:
But you, Lord Jesus, always travel beside us, and your love for us will never change.
Amen
Dave Pitcher
If anyone would like to borrow or have my copy of ‘God and the Pandemic’, please let me know [email protected] and I can send it to you.
