Freelance writer and Speaker
It is possible to praise and pray to God whether at home alone or with hundreds of other people. God is not restricted to buildings. But at the present time churches are closed for corporate worship. This is a loss.
There is a move to open churches during this lockdown for communal worship. Maybe we could write or contact our local Members of Parliament to urge for the opening of churches. If we don’t ask, we won’t get. Every contact is counted. This is something we can all do.
Because of warmer temperatures there is a fairly substantial mist this morning. I imagine driving in the countryside must be difficult. I can’t see the skyline of the city, but it is still there. It hasn’t disappeared because there is mist. The sun in not visible but behind the clouds it is still shining, it has not been turned off.
It is the same with God, He is still there even though we can’t see Him. We can see evidences of His love in nature and human kindness. Our knowledge of His presence does not depend on sight. We see Him by faith..
We can’t go to church, the cinema, a museum, concerts, theatres, other people’s gardens, other people’s houses, parties, etc, etc. But nothing can stop us praying, praying on our own, with others, praying day and night. We need to bombard the gates of heaven with our prayers of contrition and calls for mercy. We can’t do this pandemic alone, we need God.
We all know the story of the ember which fell out of the fire. That ember soon burnt out while the fire itself remained burning fiercely. As Christiasns it is like that too. A single Christian without the strength of others soon flags.
In these days we are all in the danger of being lone Christians. May we find ways to connect by phone, Zoom, video calls or listening to uplifting sermons. When this pandemic has passed, we want to be stronger more vibrant Christians.
I’m still enjoying the tree outside my house. As I look at it each day I give give thanks for God’s creation. As I look today I see that just one leaf is hanging on. Does being a Christian sometimes feel like that? We think we are the last Christian.
That was what Elijah thought, but God told him there were thousands who hadn’t bent the knee to Baal. Maybe in North Korea Christians can think they are the only Christian. But there many Christians in North Korea. God will never leave Himself without a witness.
In Britain we are experiencing various degrees of lockdown. Our attendance at church is limited and in some places non-existent. I hope it makes us appreciate what our persecuted brothers and sisters are experiencing all round the world.
It is hard not to physically be with others to praise God. Maybe we have taken it for granted now that it is not so readily available.
So may we remembered and pray for those who do not have the freedom which we had in the past, as we now have our own restrictions. We lift up to God our persecuted brothers and sisters wherever they may be round the world. Amen.
As I watch the autumn leaves fall to the ground, I think about life. The leaves have a limited life span. In the spring the leaves are bright green buds, ready to unfurl in the sun’s heat and rain. Then during the summer they give us shelter and beauty. By autumn they are well spent. Each leaf turns a beautiful autumn shade and drops off in preparation for new leaves to come next spring..
It is like our short lives. We start as small green eager shoots. As life progresses with God’s help we reach our full potential. Then eventual we grow old and die. This is not a sad thought. When we are gone new buds will forms, there will be new Christian lives. Like the leaves these lives will be all the stronger because of our input to this universe.
I went for a walk partly to admire the wonderful colours of the autumn leaves on the trees. Because the sun was shining so brightly I had difficulty in seeing them in all their beauty. The intensity of the sun was blocking out everything else.
It made me think about God in heaven. As our sun in the solar system is exceedingly bright, how much brighter must the creator of that sun be. Maybe when we’re in heaven all we will see is the radiance of our God. Everything else will be obliterated.
During these last few months in Britain churches have been closed. Worship in church has not been possible. They are now opening in a limited way with fewer numbers and social distancing.
I helped me to remember those Christians in countries where Christianity is forbidden with punishments of harassment, beatings and even death. Here in Britain we are free to worship as we wish. Once past the pandemic no-one is going to stop us, rather they ignore us. As we revel in more freedom for worship in church, let us remember and pray for those who have no such freedom. Repress, Lord, we pray the militant opposing factors and may Your name be glorified.
When I used to sing this chorus as a child, I had it pointed out to me that Jesus wasn’t meek, mild and weak. Of course, that is so, He is the creator and Sustainer of the universe, He is strong against sin and is mighty in His condemnation of sinners.
But there is a gentle side to Him. He cuddled the children on His lap, He spoke to various women in their distress. Jesus didn’t force Himself upon people, He often waited until they came to Him. He is tender and forgiving with us when we sin.
I don’t want a God who is only mighty and powerful. I need a God who is meek and mild. I need a God who is love.