Reflection - 20th March
Take a pause. Live differently. Keep hope. Develop our partnership. Be Jesus to your neighbours.
All of these were themes in the last 6 months in various talks and reflections in our church communities. These have often come to mind in recent days when we have been working through this local and global situation.
Now we all had our own dominoes lined up that started to fall one by one through postponements or cancellations. For me it was a conference in London, family visiting, a Lloyd Cole gig, special speakers booked for events, Nick Cave concert, Euro Championship and, finally, the role of our Church Tent at Glastonbury Festival. And, of course, many more and you would have had yours.
Every step along I knew they were not important compared to what was happening. Every step along I knew that my own desires were for what I wanted to happen for me. Every step along my own privilege and capital-isms shouted for attention. Yet at each stage there appeared more and more people and situations being written on the pages of my life which were far more important than me. Every step along there were the whispers of individuals, communities, nations which were in conflict and struggle and sickness and pain, long before Coronavirus arrived, and during Coronavirus’ stay, and will be after Coronavirus leaves.
This is a kairos moment in many ways - a painful and sad one, there can be no doubt, but also one filled with acts of love, transcending difference, and new community. A process of recalibrating and discovering once again who our neighbour truly is and who we really are. A kairos moment.
Just for a moment
That I could be there
Rather than here
Just for a moment
All could be clear
Free from fear
Just for a moment
That I could be here
And you would be near
Just for a moment
The silence has returned
The beauty resurfaced
God is there
God is here
God is near
Just for a moment
All is clear.
There are so many beautiful and creative pieces of art, music, films, blogs and more flying around for people to reflect on, laugh at, cry with, be moved by, and I stand in awe of so much that is beyond what I am capable to do. But that is good. We need others to learn from, to be shaped by and God can work through such things.
However, I must admit after almost 3 years clean off Social Media it is very strange to be reconnecting with it; on so many levels. There is a need to filter and a need to drain so much information. Sometimes, I find it an uncomfortable place and do not feel at ‘home’.
Right now, I believe there is a need to turn swiftly, with all the heart, to God and to be both embraced and sent (which means something new at the moment). Because in Christ is where community can be found, where disconnected parts exiled from each other can collide back together both beyond and within time and space.
‘We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.’
LOVE & PRAYERS, LEE