The Last Shall be First

Hi everyone. I hope that you are all doing well. It seems that some of us are much busier than usual, whilst others of us are finding time on our hands. Those able to work from home seem to be doing longer hours, especially those in I.T., working in shops, health and other essential services.

It is interesting who we are relying on at the moment to keep our society running and safe. We realise that many of the people who we value least, if we look at their pay packets, are now recognised as key workers.

I was very pleased today that my rubbish was picked up. Yesterday I was so grateful that my local supermarket was open and most of the items I needed were there. So many people have contributed to make that possible, people we all take for granted. Shopping used to be our national pastime and now we take our courage in our hands as we join the queues. (it has put a new spin on the expression “shop ‘till you drop”)

My brother works for a shop, and in recognition of the staff putting themselves at risk they have been given a 10% pay rise. It may only be 82 pence per hour, but it was a concrete way of saying “thank you” and meant a lot to them all. 
Have you ever wondered how much more serious this would be if we didn’t have electricity? Just stop and think about it for a couple of minutes.  It is another thing that we all take so much for granted. I only hope that when we are through all of this, we will remember who the really key people in our society are, and they will be rewarded. Maybe we are all equally important. Our values are really being challenged.

This experience has been a wake-up call for us as we realise what is most important to us. We live in a very materialistic world, but this has shown us that it is not things that really matter to us, it is people.  We miss human contact; hugs, kisses, and arms around us. We miss being together in groups.  I am fortunate in that I am not locked down alone. I have my husband, but sadly for him, he is locked down with me!

Some are totally on their own. Others are not alone but in abusive situations that they cannot escape from. We miss the freedom just to go out and be where we want to be, to walk about freely and enjoy being with friends. A dear uncle of mine died recently. I was unable to continue to visit him in the hospice, or to say my goodbye at his funeral. My family, like so many other families, are grieving, but we cannot get together to share our grief. It’s true that “you don’t really know what you’ve got till it’s gone.”

We are also unable to gather together as a church.  We keep in touch, watch talks, share messages, see each other in Zoom-assisted Life Groups, but we miss the corporate experience of worshipping together. We miss praying together and laughing together. I really miss light-hearted banter.   

We have to learn how to worship and grow in our homes, as we take responsibility for our walk with God. We have to choose to join together virtually, choose to read the Bible ourselves. We have to choose to seek out songs of worship that help us to lift our praises to God and remind us of his love and presence.  Some of us just coming on Sundays out of habit, realise what we’re missing when we are not together. We are beginning to get a taste of what it is like for millions of Christians all over the world who are not allowed to get together…ever!

I have added a link below to 7 Lessons from the persecuted church on how to get through this. I hope that you find it helpful and encouraging.
https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/stories/coronavirus-lessons/

There is much to learn and appreciate in these strange times. God is speaking to us through this. I pray that we are all listening as he shows us what is really valuable in our lives.

I pray that despite being apart that you will continue to grow in your faith and find new ways to love God, love people and become more like Jesus. Remember, stay safe and stay connected.

Steph

And finally… something to put a smile on your face.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfDH_A5ou6U

That one came from Nigel.

If you have seen anything encouraging or that has made you laugh, please let me know so that I might add links to my blog. stephl@ebc-bracknell.org