A few thoughts during coronavirus.

Those of us whom Boris labelled as ‘elderly’ have had a lot of time on our hands recently. In my case, it has given me time to do lots of jobs that I saved up for another day. I started by replacing a rotten windowsill, then moved on to clearing a shed which is now usable, and then started on another bigger shed. That is now half done, but Margaret has already started using it to grow plants from seed. We have some tomatoes, some lettuces, and various flowering plants already showing signs of life.

On the better-weather days, I have also taken the ivy off of a 50 metre long wall, mown the lawn four times, and cleared a few small areas of undergrowth, making room for Margaret to plant her seedlings. Two years ago, we had a tree taken down, and the huge logs have been lying around waiting to be chopped into usable sizes. This morning, I set about one particularly difficult log. I swung my axe several times with enthusiasm, but to no effect. I was about to move on to another log, when a voice said to me “try the other side”. So, I turned the log over, and swung my axe again. Immediate success, repeated again and again.

Where had I heard that before? Only recently we were reading the story of Jesus, fishing with His disciples. Read it for yourself – John 21 vv 1-6. They had been fishing all night and caught nothing, until Jesus told them to throw their nets over the other side. They did, and caught a huge number of big fish.

At this difficult time, and with our church buildings all closed, it seems that there are many opportunities for people who are seeking something different to try the other side, where they will find on the radio and on-line many different ways to discover religion. Suddenly, one can with ease pick up a church service, or a Christian message, daily devotions, church music – whatever you want is there, if you look for it.

But what will happen when the pandemic is over? Will we all drift back into the same way of doing church that we were doing before? We need to ask ourselves – do we attract people to our worship? Does what they come into make sense? Or is it like a foreign language that only we understand? Are our churches growing or just growing old? What does the future hold for us?

I believe that we are all being tested, tested to look at ourselves, our buildings, the way we present to others, and being asked “what next?” This is our one chance to hear God saying to us: “Try the other side!” For if we cast our nets on the other side, if we do things differently, we may find that the outcome is very different, and the future of our churches and circuit will have a new beginning. Exciting times? Who knows? God does.

Let us pray.

Dear Lord God, we ask you to be our guide at this troubled time, to lead us out of our present troubles and take us into new waters, not with fear and trembling but with confidence and faith that You are leading us, and will not lead us astray.

We pray for all those in trouble – give them Your peace.

For all those seeking something different – help them to find it.

And lead us all as we follow You. Help us to make the right decisions to follow wherever you lead as we join with you in building Your kingdom here on earth.

Amen

Lewis Lintern