Rev. Gary A. Shockley, Director of Equipping Vital Congregations
One of the pastors I spoke with this week made this observation, “We have never been here before and we can never go back to the way it used to be.”
These might have been the words of God’s people down through the ages who, like us, were shocked and shaken by things they could not control. The Coronavirus pandemic is just such a time for us. Like our ancestors before us, we turn to God for guidance. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
I think back to the book of Exodus which tells the story of God rescuing his people from captivity in Egypt and leading them away from everything familiar to an unfamiliar place (Promised Land) which at the time seemed a mere dream or idea. In order for them to get to this new place they had to let go of so many things- routines, houses, material possessions, daily provisions of food and water and even extended family and friends (remember, some of them married Egyptians and worked to shoulder to shoulder with others). To get to a new place they had to leave so many things behind.
Isn’t this kind of where we are right now? In this season of Viral Captivity, aren’t there many things being taken from us? What might these be for you? I imagine some of the losses you’re experiencing are especially painful. God knows. God cares for you. God is with you.
Maybe, not everything we’re being asked to give up is bad. Surely there are habits, practices, attitudes and behaviors that have hindered us from being the people God wants us to be. Maybe there are some things we SHOULD lose and NEVER return to. Can you name a few for yourself? For your church?
Losses are painful and the transitions that comes with change can be disorienting. Maybe it helps to know that in our time of change God is up to something new. I certainly don’t want to miss the new things God is up to because I’m still focused on the old things that have been taken from me.
In the time of the Babylonian Empire, during Judah’s exile, God spoke these words of hope and promise of renewal through the prophet Isaiah, “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18,19 NRSV)
Right now, right here, in the midst of the worst week of this pandemic God is already doing something new in YOU, in the CHURCH, and in the WORLD.
Can you begin to see it? Are you earnestly looking for it?
This has been a wild season of rapid innovation giving birth to fresh expressions of the Gospel all around us. Just think about how much change your church has had to navigate in such a short period of time? Online worship, virtual prayer groups and Bible Studies, online classes and meetings, new forms of community engagement and support. God is doing a new thing in and through his people. We are already becoming a new church. This is the work of God in our midst. Can you see it? Will you actively look for it? What are some of the new things of God you are seeing in yourself and in your church?
Yes, a great deal has been taken from us by this pandemic BUT a great deal has been given to us as well. Let’s name and claim these things as signs of God’s abiding presence and power!
In her book, Fragments of Your Ancient Name, Joyce Rupp wrote this prayer for the day I finished writing this article. It’s powerful.
Wake us up
To what needs doing,
And what needs undoing.
Wake us up
To what we must let go,
And what to draw closer.
Wake us up to what enlarges love
And what diminishes it.
In all parts of our life,
Disturb us and wake us up!
You are not alone! The Equipping Vital Churches Team is always ready to encourage and support you. Let us know what you need as God has already begun a new thing in YOU!
