Jeremiah 17:7
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
These days are hard for so many of us, as we express our love for our neighbours and share our pastoral love in ways that are strange – by phone, WhatsApp, Zoom, by keeping our distance and navigating our faith as we live out our church
experiences in new ways.
I think we can learn a lot from God, who by the spirit is our comforter, refuge, rock, redeemer and sustainer! We can learn what it means to be the church dispersed. Now is our moment to be good neighbours, to be salt-seasoning and light-beams in streets, apartments and rooms – people of grace and generosity, faith and hope.
We are like the early church – dispersed and scattered for one purpose, to be points of light in the darkness and bleakness of the night sky. Just imagine that the future things will never be the same. Our lives, incomes, roles, families all have been touched by this terrible pandemic and so now we can ask ourselves:
How are we witnesses?
How is the Spirit at work?
What does it mean to be people of peace?
How are we integrated?
What does it mean to be believers in our local place?
As we imagine the future of our congregations, our theological frameworks, our own discipleship, our own prayer lives, our own bodies, families and nations, we are called to be those who continue to understand that we are witnesses in generosity, speech and life, and also that we are part of the reconstruction of the world into a future that reflects Jesus’ prayer ‘Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’. We continue enacting this and we work to fulfil it even now knowing that the SPIRIT of the LIVING GOD goes before us!
Isaiah 43:1-4 ‘’Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name. You are mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God. Since you were precious in my sight, You have been honoured, and I have loved you; I will give men for you, and people for your life”.
Yours in Christ!