For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4.15 There have been a few intermittent days between day 10 and day 11 as I had some time off for Easter, though I'm grateful to my church leaders who have continued giving updates and posts, day-by-day. The post for today came from one of the church leaders who works as a psychologist, and he shared that many times people come to him with a strong sense of hopelessness. They have infirmities or issues, but the most common thing they all share is a sentiment that they alone are going through this. That no-one understands, they're on their own, and there's nothing anyone could do to help, because they just don't know what it's like.
And it's not just people in need of professional help who have this experience. I'm convinced we all do, at times. And especially right now, when we don't spend as much time with other people and are left with what people are willing to share digitally (which we know from studies and from ourselves is generally the best bits!). It's easy to think no-one understands what I'm feeling. It's easy to tell ourselves that we should be happier, that we're the lucky few who have good provisions, good homes, good people to talk to still, good connections - but underneath it all we don't and we feel that nobody could understand that. Well no matter what we're feeling, and regardless of whether we think we have "the right" to feel that or not, I'm thankful that there is someone who knows exactly what I'm thinking and feeling, and understands me probably better than I do myself. So, when you find that you're down and feeling alone, take encouragement from the fact that Jesus knows you fully, understands what you're feeling, and loves you. God doesn't care what you think you "should" be feeling. God cares about you. Hang in there - and if you need to, reach out for a chat, any time! Stay safe, and take care! P.S. I made this illustration by following a tutorial from Teela Cunningham which you can get to by clicking on the link! I had great fun following along and I really like the end product! It just makes me think of hope! I love it!
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But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as humans see: humans look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16.7 I’ve seen a few posts recently being super angry at people for their “unnecessary” reasons for being outside... Everyone likes to be the righteous one. Well, it makes me realise how glad I am that God doesn’t view our actions the way we view the actions of others, based on our own disgruntled senses of and need for superiority.
Maybe that person in the park doesn’t have a garden like I do, and suffers from anxiety, calmed only by the wide open space that reminds her of God’s care of even the grass of the fields. Maybe that person buying house paint has worked with her hands all her life and is losing grasp of herself sitting doing nothing and so is doing up the house to feel useful and keep her mind and hands busy each day in lockdown. Maybe that neighbour standing a little too close as she talks to the family in the next garden down is so, so lonely, and doesn’t have the social connections I do in my household or via online communication. When God picked out a king, he sent he prophet Samuel to go and anoint him, and from how things looked, Samuel got the king wrong EVERY time. There is often another way to view things. I’m going to keep trying to look at people the way God does - valuing them for nothing they’ve done, but simply because they are precious. I fall short. Time and time again. Especially now. But I’ll keep trying. Stay safe, and take care! Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because redemption is drawing near. Luke 21.28 'Take heart,' Jesus said. Matthew 9.2; 9.22; 14.27; Mark 6.50; John 16.33.
'Don't be afraid,' angels said. Genesis 21.17; Daniel 10.12; Matthew 28.5; Luke 1.13; 2.10; Acts 27.24. 'I am with you,' God said. Genesis 28.15; Deuteronomy 31.6; Isaiah 41.10; 43.2; Zephaniah 3.17; Hebrews 13.5. When crazy things happen or suffering is brought to the attention of Jesus, he responded, 'Take heart.' When something suddenly was going to change, a lot(!), angels marked it and told people, 'Don't be afraid.' When God's people felt alone, scared, abandoned, unsure, unheard, belittled..., God declared, 'I am with you.' So even though this isn't easy - straighten up, and raise your heads, because even now, your God is drawing close. Stay safe, and take care! For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2.15 You've all experienced it if you've been outside for any reason at the moment: you're running along, or walking to the supermarket, and someone comes around the corner on to the same path you're on and they're coming towards you. Either you or they cross the road - maybe the streets by you are so empty like they are by me that you run in the road. Maybe you try to smile, to imitate some kind of friendliness, but we each - and rightly so right now - are avoiding each other like we stink.
I'm not saying don't do this. Stick to government advice: stay at least 2m from anyone when you're out for your necessary trips. But it was an experience like this that made one of my church pastors think of this Bible verse for today's LOOK UP IN LOCKDOWN post. And I wonder if there are ways, right now, that our "aromas", our presence (physical, virtual, in a letter or card, or a gift ordered online), could be as the pleasing aroma of Christ is to God. Something that when it is received, it is loved and wanted and good. I baked ginger parkin the other day (today is the 3rd day since, so we finally get to eat it), from my grandad's recipe. And the smell, even just as I mixed up the mixture, was amazing! I'm not sure I can even describe it! It filled me with a warmth, and a want, and a thankfulness! Can my actions, thoughts, words, deeds bring that to someone after, but also during, this lockdown time? In my pastor's words: 'How to encourage that to happen in each of us is worth pondering.' As always: Stay safe, and take care! Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life." John 14.6a Maybe right now you're still coming to terms with how quickly our human-made systems are weakening and struggling. Health, education, economic systems; right now we see how fragile they really are, and how the sense of security they give us is not true.
I remember the first time I felt like I might not be able to handle this crisis. The a week before the lockdown, my house had been in quarantine anyway as I'd picked something up at the school I work in and was showing the covid-symptoms. So by week 2 of lockdown, we'd already had 2 weeks of total not leaving the house ever, and it was starting to look like that wasn't going to change any time soon. I missed people, and felt like a bird in a cage - all classic things lots of people are feeling right now. But I wasn't sad, just annoyed. Then I went to ASDA - we'd had our shopping brought to us before, because we weren't allowed out, so this was the first time I'd left the house, and there were signs up, sharing the measures they were putting in to try and help people get what they need. Certain hours on certain days for NHS staff, limits on how many of something someone could buy. They even had a similar announcement over the tannoy system. And I found I was nearly in tears at these things! It became real. I relied on these systems, and took them for granted that they were freedoms and abilities I'd always have! I didn't think I'd be in a position struggling to make a normal meal because I can't seem to get all the ingredients for anything!! Yet here I am. Here we are. I got over that falling-apart-ness, for the time-being anyway. I came to realise more and more that my life does not depend on those systems. They help my life, certainly they do. And I'm more grateful than ever for them. But I'm not dependent on them for my being, my identity, my capacity to go on. And neither are you. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life." Follow that way. Seek that truth. Live that life. It is more fulfilling and dependable and purposeful and useful than anything else in all the world. Stay safe, and take care! |
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AuthorI'm a recent Cambridge Theology graduate now studying for a Masters in Biblical Studies and blogging about all sorts of things! I'm interested in faith, Church, theology, social action, the great outdoors and being creative, and all of those things - along with many more - come through in my posts!
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