Trust

Trust.

Noah did everything God said. He built the ark and filled it as instructed. Once inside, God closed the door so nobody else could get in.

Pestilence sweeps across the world, heedless of borders. Borders which are being closed, one after another, leaving refugees without help or hope on the other side. Trapped, with no way in or out.

Across many nations, we have been instructed to self-isolate, so we have gathered our loved ones inside our homes, as instructed by government. Some have pulled up their drawbridges, refusing entry to all those caught outside as the rains come down and the waters rise. Focused on maintaining physical health at all costs, mental and spiritual health are imperilled. We are social beings. We were made to be community, and that means we sometimes take risks to bring others into safety.

Common sense designed the policy. It’s a good one. But God has not closed the door to our homes as he did to the ark. When there are people in need who have no safe haven, he calls us to reach out a hand and bring them in. It is so encouraging during these days to see and read of so many examples of people doing just that.

In these days of turmoil and uncertainty, fear is fed as we hole up and just look after ourselves. Jesus calls us to trust him. To walk on the waters which may roil and rage, our focus on him. To minister to those out in the storm, and to bring them in to the peace which is Jesus.

May we all stay safe as we self-isolate, but also be alert and responsive to the cries for help that reach our ears. Don’t let your hearts be troubled and don’t be afraid, Jesus says. Why? Because he has overcome the world.

Virtual Church

All over the world, we believers congregate virtually, tuning in on YouTube or Zoom, Skype or something else. Some of it is chaotic. Confusing even. We’re not all techno marvels but it was wonderful this morning to connect, to see the smiles of faith family who we love so much and miss.

Having missed the link to the worship before the service, we worshiped in song after. It was so moving and powerful. I sensed that Church is on the move. Together we are moving forward following the light. What was on either side was unclear. Where we were headed was not visible. But the path was alight and we were on it, moving together, as one, making music in our hearts as we praised and loved the Lord with our voices, with our spirits.

So many green shoots are appearing. We just need to keep vigilant and keep moving. We follow the God of hope. We are filled with the spirit of love and power and life. We lift Jesus up, our Saviour and King.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

Scottish Spring

A soft tapping on the window. Tiny white balls bouncing off the bush. Hail. Now it’s turned to a light, windblown snow shower. Ah, springtime in north eastern Scotland.

I was 51^st at the grocery store at 8 am, so waited a minute or two until one person came out. A strict regulation of number of shoppers admitted at any one time. Everyone maintained their distance. Nobody coughed or sneezed. Everyone sanitised; some wore disposable gloves. Best behaviour.

Still no yeast. Shelves weren’t totally empty, but neither were they very full.

How surreal is this? Did anyone see this coming?

I certainly didn’t, but I know someone who did. So I’m sticking in close to him, so that I minimise my exposure and my risk, and yet remain available to help in any way I can. Really encouraged to be able to call on the team of volunteers from the West Church to pick up and deliver an urgent medicine to a former neighbour of ours who just moved into Banchory. Love in action through service. Thank you, Edge team, for stepping out and helping.

To God be the glory. May his name be lifted high through this turbulent time.

Virtually

Bible study met today. Virtually. Thanks to one member who was tech savvy enough to get us onto a platform where we could see and hear each other, read the Bible together and share some thoughts and prayers.

It took someone to set up the meeting, and then she invited participants. When she opened the meeting, those of us invited were connected.

Jesus invites each of us to join him. We don’t need to be tech savvy. We just need to take time to sit with him and accept his invitation, and welcome him into our hearts, into our lives. He is always there. We don’t have to wait for him to open the meeting.

He invites us individually, and he invites us corporately. Very grateful for the technology to continue to worship as church because of technological innovations. Very aware of those who are struggling to survive today, in displaced persons’ camps all round the globe, where the challenges were huge before Corvid appeared. Now they are overwhelming.

Bible study looked at Jesus’ words in Mark. ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Love your neighbour as yourself.’ How can I obey these commands today, self-isolated as I am?

Many are the plans...

Electricity will be off today from 9 – 4, the letter said. They would be doing work on the overhead cables, and trimming trees that were getting a bit too close. We boiled the kettle. Heated the soup. Filled the thermos flasks. Even looked out the camping stove.

Nine o’clock came and went. Lights still on. Radio blaring. The neighbour phoned to say they’ve postponed it until later in the spring or summer.

A wedding was planned for early April. International borders closed, meaning family from abroad could not come. Then came the lock-down. Nobody could attend. The couple had a private exchange of vows before God, parents and minister, the bride looking radiant.

Bible study was going to meet virtually today. We’re not quite technologically savvy yet so will give it another go tomorrow.

The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley, as Burns wrote.

People make their plans, but God directs our steps. If Covid-19 is teaching us anything, it is how out of control of our destiny we are. In this stark reality, I am praying that God will be glorified and more people than ever will fall in love with Jesus Christ and make him their Lord.

Hugs

I am wearing an Arran knit jumper which I bought in 1971 in Jenner’s, a wonderful department store in Edinburgh. Sadly the store is no longer there, but in its day it was exceptional for its quality.

This jumper has kept me warm over many years. A few threads have broken. One cuff is frayed. But basically, it is still keeping me warm. Quality lasts.

In the cupboard in my bedroom, on the top shelf towards the back is a cardinal sweatshirt. It is a men’s size large, with Trojans emblazoned across the front. It was my dad’s, from his alma mater USC, and of all the touchstones I have with him, this is the one I go to when I am feeling sad and in need of my dad. I put it on, zip it up, and, swamped in it though I am, I sense his protective arms around me. And I am comforted.

We are living in uncertain days. We are all concerned for our loved ones. Those in my age group long to help our children and grandchildren as they struggle to home-school, work from home, survive as health service workers, make do on reduced incomes. They refuse to be helped, fearful that they will infect us and we won’t survive an infection. We long to wrap our arms round each other, but we can’t. There is an invisible enemy preying on us, and we are all just doing our best.

Come to me, Jesus invites us. I will gather my loved ones into my embrace. He’s got the whole world in his arms, as the beautiful spiritual goes. Receive his hug, his loving, powerful hug. He’s closer than you think.

What are you doing here?

Again, the wind howls relentlessly round the house, weaselling its way in the cracks with whines and whistles, causing unpruned bushes to scrape and scratch at the windows. It feels as if the wind has been our constant companion for weeks. Not a fan of it.

Covid-19 is similar. Only more threatening. More fear-inducing. Ignorance is not bliss. We don’t know much about Covid-19; if we did, we could choose our weapons more carefully and target the fight more precisely. Instead we are all hunkered down in our houses, googling how to make hand sanitiser and anti-bac spray and wondering when it will end.

Such global upheaval raises the question: what is God saying to us? Elijah longed to see and hear from God, so God took him out onto a mountain. A great and strong wind rent the mountains, crumbling some of the rocks. It wasn’t God. Then there was an earthquake, but God was not in that either. Next there was a fire, but no God there either.

Finally, there was a still small voice. Elijah recognised who was speaking. It was the Lord. And what was he saying? ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’

I wonder if God is whispering to me today. What are you doing here, Michele?

Well, I could laugh as I defend myself, Boris has put me in lockdown. Can’t go out.

True. But I can be more effective in lockdown than I can running around the place. I can worship. I can pray. And I can obey and do whatever he says. Feed the hungry. Pray for the persecuted. Phone the lonely.

Perhaps he’s asking Church the same thing. What are you doing here, Church? Are you shining a light in the darkness? Holding out hope as you share Jesus?

What are you doing here? Where would Jesus be?