The New Normal
24 Jun 2020
As I write this the media is celebrating as a result of the Prime Minister’s announcement about the reopening of large sections of society. We can be thankful – especially as churches will be allowed to meet again. We are still waiting for the full guidance regarding public worship. When it comes we will study it and act accordingly. It is likely that things wont look exactly like they were before, and I’d ask for your patience and for your prayers for wisdom as we adapt.
We also remember that this is only the end of the first part of this crisis. We still all need to be cautious, and aware that the virus is still circulating (although at a lower level).
It is understandable that we hope that life will return to normal. But as we stand on the threshold of a big change it is worth asking what “normality” should look like.
I am not in any way minimizing the stress and anxiety of the last 14 weeks, and the loss of life has been a great tragedy. None of us would want to go through this again. However, there have been some ways in which our lives have changed which may not have been altogether bad. Just as when an individual goes through a near death experience they often reflect that it has given them new perspective on their life and what is really important, it would be surprising if this situation hasn’t done the same for all of us.
As I was considering this, I noted a number of things where I think it would be sad if life just returned to “normal” (as it was before the lockdown).
IT WOULD BE SAD IF IN THE “NEW NORMAL” WE FORGOT THE FRAGILITY OF LIFE
The lockdown was an enormous interruption to all of our plans. Many of us have had holidays cancelled. The regular daily routines have been suddenly changed – schools shut, and many of us worked from home. More seriously, the economic effects of this have left some fearing for their livelihoods.
One sign that we are forgetting the Lord is that we live as if we are in control of our life and our plans. This attitude should not be our normal God speaks in the book of James, trying to get our attention if we are complacent about this. “You do not know what tomorrow will bring” See James 4:13-16). Let’s remember this enforced interruption and live knowing we are in the Lord’s hands and it is his plans that matter.
IT WOULD BE SAD IF IN THE “NEW NORMAL” WE FORGOT THE REALITY OF DEATH
During this crisis, one stark statistic has been put in front of us every day – the rising death toll from COVID-19. However, the truth is that the death toll is rising every day, and always will until Jesus Christ comes again.
In more normal times we have the luxury of “out of sight, out of mind”. However, as painful as it has bee , it is a blessing to have death in the forefront of our minds. It reminds us of the seriousness of sin - the fact that we will all have to die once and after that face the judgement. It ensures that the hope of the gospel and the resurrection of Jesus shines so much more brightly. The people who truly live are those who know they are going to die and are prepared for that.
IT WOULD BE SAD IF IN THE “NEW NORMAL” WE FORGOT OUR NEED FOR PRAYER
Times of crisis always increase our felt need for prayer, and this has been proved true by the reports of high numbers of people searching google for “prayer”. It has also been so wonderful to be able to pray together as God’s people at different times online. I know how easy it is to drift from that urgency – let’s pray we don’t!
IT WOULD BE SAD IF IN THE “NEW NORMAL” WE FORGET THE NEED TO SET ASIDE A DAY TO REST AND WORSHIP
A strange irony of this time has been that although we have been unable to gather as the church, we may have had Sunday’s which have been more focused on worship. The extra work involved in turning on the computer and working through the orders of service, and just the effort needed to ensure that Sunday feels different when every day seemed the same has been blessed by the Lord. Add to that the fact that we are not on a variety of rotas which sometimes made Sunday feel busier than a weekday!
When the world returns to some kind of normality, let’s try and build on the enforced reset we have been given by the Lord. Yes, we have missed much by not gathering for worship, but let’s continue to rest and take the whole day to worship the Lord.
IT WOULD BE SAD IF IN THE “NEW NORMAL” FAMILIES DID NOT WORSHIP AND SIT UNDER GOD’S WORD TOGETHER
One personal highlight for me over this time has been hearing of families who have sat and gone through the orders of worship together, and children who wouldn’t normally sit in during the sermon have sat with their parents and coloured (for example) while listening.
I don’t for one moment suggest that this has been easy for families – but it is a very good thing. Children may not understand everything they hear, but the value of worshipping and sitting under God’s word with their parents cannot be underestimated. It was also the historically in church until relatively recently.
IT WOULD BE SAD IF IN THE “NEW NORMAL” PARENTS WERE NOT INTIMATELY INVOLVED IN EVERY PART OF THEIR CHILDREN’S LIVES
Schools being closed and parents having to juggle work from home with looking after their children day by day has made life difficult. However, the positive side of this has been enforced family time for the whole country in the midst of a culture where everyone is under constant pressure.
Parents have had to take responsibility for the education for their children – which is something that Christians should take seriously regardless of what choices we make for our children educationally (Deut 6:4-9).
IT WOULD BE SAD IF IN THE “NEW NORMAL” WE FORGOT ABOUT THE WEAK AND VULNERABLE
During this period we have all taken action to protect the weakest in our society. They are still amongst us as we emerge from lockdown. It is important that we continue to consider how to care for them, value them, and ensure that they are valued and provided for in the church.
I’m sure there are more examples! What would you add?