A New Normal

As we enter into the sixth month of this pandemic and all the restrictions associated with it, there’s a sense of becoming adapted and accustomed to the conditions. The new normal of social distancing, hyper vigilance with hygiene and limited numbers in church is becoming part of the rhythm of daily life. That is no surprise since we as human beings are built for routine and habits and have the incredible ability to adapt to virtually all circumstances.

Man has learned to live for months in a steel tube under water in confined spaces with no sunlight, in a capsule hurtling in outer space with zero gravity. Humans have adapted to living in subzero temperatures in the tundra of the polar regions living on seal meat. Others have learned to exist in the arid environments of desserts in the outback of Australia. The saying could well go; ‘have water, will live’.

As much as this is a testament to human ingenuity and determination to survive, it is also an indictment to the saddest conditions by which man has learned to live in; sin and separation from God.

People may be getting used to the new normal of masks, and elbow bumps but as the Church we are compelled to share the message, that they do not have to remain in their sin and thereby be doomed to eternal destruction. A life of sin does not have to be the norm but Jesus Christ has paid the price for all humanity to be able to live a new normal of victorious living for Christ. We don’t have to accept that we are hopelessly bound to destructive vices or addictions, or to the dysfunctional patterns of our family of origin, or negative mindsets reinforced by our environments.

No, we can live above the beggarly elements of our world to a life that transcends even our material dispositions, as we sit in heavenly places. It’s easy to get disorientated in these confusing and challenging times, but when that starts to happen, go back to the basics of your faith; looking and meditating upon God’s Word, pray everyday, fast every week, give, serve and let the “peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phi 4:7)

And remember “that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:5-6 NLT)

A Come Back

What a blessing it is to be able to worship together again as a Church, after months of lockdowns and restrictions! Praise the Lord!

When we celebrated the start of a new decade on the 1st of January this year, none of us would have envisaged that the next six months starting that same week, would be filled with unprecedented events that would profoundly impact not only our local communities but the entire world. Suddenly our Church services were restricted to merely a live online broadcast.

To say that I was deeply disappointed after the tremendous momentum we had built up from the previous year into the new one is understated. Our services seemed to go from strength to strength but all of that was gone and for how long, we could only speculate. Our Konnect groups, Youth, Sunday School and all other ministries could no longer meet face to face and though we are thankful for online meetings, it simply wasn’t the same. Guests were no longer coming and what’s more, those who may have been struggling spiritually may have drifted even further.

This was a great blow to all of us but I am reminded that whatever happened this year, and what will happen in the future, our God already knew and He is leading the Church through turbulent times to a position where His Kingdom will be extended. I’m also buoyed by the many examples in scripture where God’s people experienced a set back only to be set up for a come back!

Esther is one such story that exemplifies this. She and the Jewish people were in jeopardy of annihilation but they began to pray and fast, and with boldness they took the step of faith. Ultimately, they were vindicated and flourished in the Kingdom of God. The story of Job, David, Paul and Ruth all speak of God’s ability to redeem our ‘set backs’ for a greater good and bright future. Of course, the ultimate example for us is the Gospel message itself; Jesus was crucified, died and was buried. Three days later however, He rose from the dead and reigns forever more as our Lord and Saviour.

With what we are facing still today, we can take the utmost confidence that God is setting up his Church for a world shaking revival that will bring glory to his name and victory for his Kingdom.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28