Last month Rev Irene wrote about how for everything there is a season from Ecclesiastes 3, and here we are experiencing a season of potential discomfort, isolation and anxiety. As coronavirus continues to sweep through the nation and our planet, it is easy for us to become fearful and anxious for what our future holds.

As a church we have been studying through this time of Lent, ‘The Things He Carried’ by Stephen Cottrell. The book guides us through the many aspects of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. In a chapter I read recently, one of the questions was ‘What does it feel like to be alone?’ A seemingly apt question in our current climate.

As Christians we know we are never truly alone. Isaiah 41:10 declares that we should not fear for our Lord is with is, that He will strengthen us, help us and uphold us with His righteous hand. When Jesus was making the solitary walk with the cross he carried through the streets to calvary, I can only wonder how he felt?  His disciples and his people had rejected him. But even in the loneliness, Jesus knew his Father was with him. Jesus was crowned with thorns and dressed in a robe. This was to mock and belittle him. Do we regard Jesus as our King or do we just dress him up as one when the time suits us?

I have been truly heartened by the obvious signs of love that can be seen up and down the country. Strangers are coming to the aid of strangers; communities are being brought together to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.  Our nation came together on the 26th March to applaud at our front doors those who work for NHS and their continuing efforts to fight this virus. This is the power of Jesus. He is the light that shines in the darkness, but the darkness does not overcome it. My prayer, and one in which I hope you will join with me, is that when this isolation comes to end, our nation will come ever closer than it was before.

So although we are isolated from each other. Although we cannot see our friends, family and church family, we know there is someone closer than a brother or sister and is always with us.

Let us take this opportunity to fulfil our Lenten call to focus our lives on who God wants us to be; let us become more disciplined in our bible study and passionate about prayer, knowing we are not truly alone. Jesus is our friend and comforter!

Blessings,
Alasdair Hutson