It’s been a long time since I’ve written a blog but, as the pandemic has gone on, In the UK we’ve marked a year in lockdown. I don’t know about you but, I’ve found it so much more difficult during this third lockdown to get motivated.
Even as I continue my daily Bible reading, it sometimes feel like just a routine task. I’ve struggled to find the comfort and inspiration from the words as I used to.
I know many churches are still not open so you may be missing that weekly injection of strength I for one gets from worshiping in my church. I’m so thankful our Pastor has done his utmost to keep the church open.
We’ve had periods of lockdowns and I know, I’m not the only one who found those times joining weekly service online not as fulfilling, so I give thanks and pray for our Pastor and his faith in keeping the doors of our church open as much as possible.
Have Faith
Why am I driven to write now, you may ask? Today (23 March 2021) marks a year since the UK was placed in lockdown. Joining my PHBC family back in church recently has truly lifted me. Listening to each sermon, I find my faith has been strengthened.
Recently, the message in my “Word for Today”, was based on Psalm 27:1 ‘The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid’? This could not be more appropriate. Why should we fear this pandemic? Somehow we must find the strength necessary to hold on to our belief and faith that He will not leave us.
It’s when we lose touch with the Lord that we fall into fear and panic, but keeping our minds on Him in thought, prayer, and worship brings peace to our hearts and minds.
Hold on to that unfailing hope
Hope is something I realise is a vital ingredient for life, not only for us as Christians, but, it’s hope which has kept so many people going throughout the pandemic. The hope of an end in sight.
Isn’t it amazing when God ministers to us how he uses so many different ways and people to reinforce the message? When writing about hope, it transpires that our PHBC Motto Verse for 2021 is – Hebrews 10:23 “Let Us Hold Unswervingly to the Hope We Profess for He who promised is faithful.” – Wow! I don’t know about you, but this is so reassuring at this time?
In the UK our government has been giving us periodic milestones for when they will lift some of the restrictions, stage by stage. The time we can meet someone else in a park; the time we can meet in our private gardens; the time restaurants will be opened etc all these little milestones up to the time we can get back to some form of normality, all to keep us going. But if you remember that powerful promise above, hope is something as a Christian which we will be able to hold on to.
It’s this hope which drives us because, as Christians, we’re told we have a hope in God. We’re told ‘He has not given us a spirit of fear’, 2 Timothy 1:7. Let’s hold on to this firm belief as the fear of this pandemic tries to grip us to our very core.
Taken from Word of the Day for Sunday 21 March, slightly modified, .…’Believe that God is on your side, then step out and attempt the thing you’re afraid of most’.
If your church doors are still closed, do join us on a Sunday morning, 10:30am either in person or via our radio station via. www.phbc.org.uk. You will receive a very warm welcome.
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