Dear reader, I wonder how you are in this covid-constructed turmoil? If we could meet face to face, two metres apart of course, what would we see in each other? Would we see the inner struggles in faith, or our dependencies in trying to survive? I think there is truth in both these positions and God is with you, and me, as we seek to keep our head above water even amid the waves breaking over us.
I once did a pastel ‘painting’ of tree trunks washed up on the high shore line by some high tide. I wrote a poem about our projects that get started on the waves of enthusiasm and inspiration. Then, when the first enthusiasm is lost, and the work involved gets rather hard, they get abandoned. I’m feeling tempted at the moment to abandon this shift of website to a new Host – with all the turmoil it has created for the website itself. But His grace prevents me from giving up!
I have overcome much this week, in continuing with the online course I am doing, and getting the website open at all!! But I fell when I was not encouraged by someone I hoped to encourage me. It brought up memories of the lack of blessing and encouragement I had as a child, but more than that. It has reminded me of God’s promises, and the reality of the cross. He is our Father, and our Lord, and He is our strength. I found my faith, and His Presence enabling me to do the work I had promised to do this morning, despite my tears… and I have faith that the problems will be overcome with the website. I know that I have no resources within me, but His love and resources are infinite. I simply need to ask.
In this up-side down world when self-protecting is combined with ‘other-protecting’ many of the means we had for avoiding facing our pain are taken from us. May you and I remember we are in this together whether we have faith or not. God promises to be merciful to the motherless and father-less; so whatever pain needs to be faced – we’re doing it together. As I face the depths of my isolation and unwanted-ness as an illegitimate child, I do this for all unwanted children/girls/boys/women and men. We suffer as humanity because of our inhumanity and abandonment of our God-given image called to love, uphold, bless and persevere.
Let us keep trusting in the God-given image we were made in…and persevere in what needs to be done knowing His grace will see us through. Let us acknowledge the waves that break over us and pray for others who are also suffering from a broken heart that had been hidden from view. Let us accept the covid turmoil, not as a platform for license of self-will, self-pity, or license to blame, but a new conformity to God-fearing trust in His justice, mercy and humility in love, and that all manner of things will be well.
Lord have mercy on us and bring us conformation to Your image in us that You may be glorified and Your Kingdom may come. Amen