Welcome!

I am starting to miss the lockdown! For 100 days, I felt secure in the knowledge, confined to my home was safer than being outside, where the bogeyman, the 19th incarnation of Corona was waiting! 

The question I am still trying to answer is, safer from what or whom? 

The barrier, curtain, gate, door (choose your metaphor), is being slowly lifted; some are rushing through the opening unaware of new realities beyond, others are taking small steps into what was familiar territory but is now “the unknown”, and some prefer to err on the side of caution and stay at home, perhaps open the curtains a wee bit wider to see who among friends and acquaintances are venturing out. 

The mixture of fear, dread and anxiety is an unhealthy cocktail of emotions. The two extremes, of rushing out as if nothing matters, and hiding at home out of fear, both have an impact on mental health. A plan to manage the journey out of lockdown is helpful.

I love the story of Noah, a righteous person, the only blameless person living on earth at that time, and he walked in close fellowship with God (Genesis 6:9). The earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence (vs 11-12)… God observed … everyone on earth was corrupt. 

Nothing escapes God’s attention. Seeing the corruption of the human heart and mind (vs 11-12), it is no wonder, God was grieved in His heart, that He had made us (6:6) 

Noah’s life offers pertinent lessons as our lockdown eases.

It is difficult for us to think of a world in which there was only ONE righteous person. Noah is the forerunner of the One to come, who was also the only ONE righteous person.I do not measure up to Noah’s righteousness, but Christ presents me to the Father (See Father, I died to save this one for eternity) and God accepts me as righteous (2 Corinthians 5:17–21). We are chosen "that we should be holy and blameless before [God]" (Ephesians 1:4)

It was Noah’s righteousness, his implicit trust in God, that saw him through 13 months of lockdown and isolation on a 3-deck, 450 foot long ship, teeming with animals. Imagine Noah’s faith and trust in God when He closed the door to the boat (7:16), just as daunting, as being told by the PM, You must stay at home, behind closed doors!

It is said, Patience is a virtue, a saying which lets us believe, we have the power within us to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.  The human spirit is restless when tied down, wanting to be set free to do as it pleases, which is rebellion against God, who is way ahead of us, planning to restore us into the perfect world He created. To be restless when God wants us to rest, to want freedom when God wants us to hang in there, is to say to God, “Thank you, but no thank you. I’ll take it from here. Things are going from bad to worse; You don’t seem to be in control, nor do you seem to care.”   

I have found encouragement in two of God's promises during periods of waiting:

God told Jeremiah to inform and encourage the Hebrew people who were in exile, Work for the peace and prosperity of the city I sent you into exile. Pray for it, its welfare will determine your welfare. … I know the plans I have for you; plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. When you pray, I will answer. If you look for me with all your heart soul and mind, you will find Me … 29:7 and 11-14.

Then came the calming assurance, I will never leave you nor abandon you. (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Psalms 55:22; Chronicles 28:20; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 13:5-6 to name a few).

Waiting is both a journey in faith and an act of Trust. Waiting can be challenging, rigorous and stressful. In our anxious, restless state, we long to return to familiar things, to get back to what we know and enjoy. But God has greater plans for each of us. Wouldn’t you want to wait and see His plans before throwing it out?

Kalyan

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If you are new to Botley, North Hinksey, Cumnor (and surrounding areas) or to Botley Baptist Church, or have been worshipping here for a long time and wish to explore more about Church life, Baptist beliefs and how you can participate in the life of the Church, you are most welcome to join us on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 pm in the Das' home. THIS IS PRESENTLY SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Click on EMAIL US at the bottom of this screen if you have specific questions. Thank you.