Hope from despair

What a strange and unique period of human history we are living through.  I suppose that in generations to come we will tell stories of these days, how we are instructed to stay indoors and not to meet with friends and family.  Sadly, many thousands of families throughout the world are mourning the loss of loved ones through Covid-19, and nations are struggling to know how best to fight the virus.  My continued prayer is that in these times, when we as a human race have come face-to-face with the truth that we are not masters of our own destiny and that there are some things we can’t handle, many will recognise again our need of God and turn to him.

Though this is a painful time, and many are sorrowing, anxious and fearful, there are, it seems to me, a number of positives to come out of the current situation.  There is the way that many are responding to the needs of those who are particularly vulnerable by offering to do shopping, run errands, and keep in regular contact with the lonely and isolated.  We have also witnessed the immense sacrificial service of NHS and other care workers, who are willing to literally put their lives at risk to care for and support others.

It’s also great that this time of crisis has revealed to us how many jobs which may have been regarded in the past as menial or relatively unimportant are being recognised for their true worth.  Cleaners, refuse removal operatives, shop assistants, delivery drivers and people in other walks of life are absolutely vital to us.  Let’s take every opportunity to appreciate and thank them.

I made a decision to keep off Facebook and Twitter during Lent.  I kept to that decision, but as events turned out I have used WhatsApp a great deal.  My churches have WhatsApp groups, and this has been a wonderful way of sharing news, encouragement, prayer requests, humour, and personal stories.  The strange thing is that although I have not been able to meet any of our church friends for some weeks, there is a sense that through various forms of communication methods which are now open to us, including WhatsApp, Zoom, email and the good old telephone, relationships have been strengthened.  Indeed, I feel that we have got to know each other in a deeper way.  There have been some things shared on WhatsApp, particularly, which individuals may have found difficult to share face-to-face.

So whilst recognising the pain and struggle which many are experiencing, let’s rejoice in the positives which are coming out of the situation.  Indeed, the Easter story tells us that after the devastation of Good Friday came the joy of Easter Sunday; a message which still speaks hope to us today.  Jesus is alive, alleluia!  To listen to my short Easter message, click here.