Behind closed doors…

The Easter weekend is a transition from darkness to light, but the first followers of Jesus must have wondered what on earth had happened on Good Friday. They didn’t realise what Sunday morning would bring, so they were huddled behind closed doors, bewildered, confused and fearful.
Actually, this may reflect life for us today, amid coronavirus.

Maybe like me, there have been times when you’ve been fearful about separation, sickness or shortages.

But all stories have a beginning, a middle and an end. And the best way to fully understand a story, is to read it from cover to cover, sitting with the chapters that give enjoyment, and the parts where deeper, more challenging truths unfold.
Truth is, I’ve skipped or skimmed chapters, when a story has felt slow going or unsettling.
But in doing so, I suspect I’ve missed out on some silver linings, and maybe the same is true of self-isolation and social distancing.

When I was medically advised to isolate, I wanted life to fast-forward. I wanted of all the familiar landmarks of my weeks to return – quickly. But I soon realised (again!) that much of life is about living in the middle.
We miss so much if we hanker after what has passed, or contort ourselves in an attempt to see what’s round the corner. We don’t notice what’s right under our nose – that person in need of an encouraging message, that moment of humour to share, that skill waiting to be discovered…

The disciples didn’t know that the risen Jesus would come alongside them, behind closed doors, on that first Easter Sunday. As believers we are blessed by his Spirit with us. It doesn’t mean we escape any anxious times in the middle chapters of life, but we are promised the Spirit’s presence and peace. God is truly our refuge and strength, behind the slammed doors of covid-19.

So today, and tomorrow, and in the days after, I for one, am going to live in the present moment, and live it as well as can be expected. How about you?

Truth is… “When they call to me, I will answer them;
    when they are in trouble, I will be with them. (Psalm 91:15)