Into shops dressed like bank-robbers

The coming of face coverings for all who enter shops in England (and Scotland I think) is a really sad day. I know that those communities in Asia who have managed their Corona virus battle (so far) much better than the UK and the USA usually have worn masks since the start. I also accept that the wearing of a mask may help to prevent the spread of the disease by those with symptoms and without. But this is just one more step in robbing our communities of vital facial contact at a time when we need more of one another rather than less.

As someone who suffers from poor hearing I am amazed to discover just how much lip-reading I have been doing too. When a presenter on TV is speaking straight to camera wearing a face covering, I usually have to hit the subtitles button. Hearing people speaking in a crowded place when they are dressed like bank robbers is going to be doubly difficult.

Thankfully, here in Guernsey, the virus has been eliminated, and while the borders remain closed, as they are except for quarantine, we are not having to make any allowances for the virus, no masks, no social distancing, no ban on hugs or singing. We are very grateful for these privileges and do not take them for granted, but my heart goes out to those who have to forgo their own freedom in order to curtail this devilish virus.

Of course I support following public health advice where you are. But I feel that this is one more sign, if any more were needed, that Covid-19 is of satanic origin. The Bible character of the devil is often mocked and ridiculed, but Jesus called him a liar and a thief. In stealing our smiles, and depriving us of mutual touch and hugs, preventing gatherings from singing or chanting, it seems to me that the fingerprints of God's enemy are all over this.

Yet, if this is one more thing that it takes to defeat this hideous abomination in our lands, then reach for your masks. But, join me in prayer that soon a vaccine will be found, and the world can relax its bans, bandannas and barriers and let the human family party again!

Through the Valley of Grief and Pain

This week a good friend of mine died. The loss is so deep, especially when you think of the faces of his little daughters and much-loved partner. I have known the depths of physical pain in my time, but the agony of grief is right up there with the worst. Malcolm Duncan, in his book Good Grief; Living with Sorrow and Loss, tells of his own devastation following the death of his father. He literally collapsed onto the ramp of a ferry between Belfast and England when returning from the funeral. Yet, his book is one of hope, comfort and encouragement in the midst of loss.

Walking through the valley of pain and grief can be a devastating experience. Through my own story, both as a sufferer of chronic pain but also as a pastor and counsellor, I have been in that valley too often. I recommend Malcolm's book, but also his faith. It carried him through and trusting in God's promises to be with us in this particular valley has really helped me also.

Psalm 23 says; 'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me' (ESV). Notice the word 'through' - this valley is not a stopping place. Grief is a journey and it is one that we don't have to make alone. The risen Lord Jesus is with us in that valley and beyond. He has overcome death and offers everlasting life to all who trust in him. And he sent his followers the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus described as a comforter (or possibly counsellor). Maybe these are the 'rod and staff' referred to by the writer of the famous Psalm.

You don't have to walk through your own valley alone either. He's only a prayer away, and sometimes the very darkness of grief and loss serves to help us be aware of our own need. King David could say 'The Lord is my shepherd' because he had chosen to come under his care. That choice is still ours to make today.

From victim to victor - a thin line!

Spikes in Leicester and lockdown in Melbourne, record high numbers of cases in the USA - this virus has not gone away! Data from the World Health Organisation show that far from being over, Covid-19 is raging worldwide at a new high level, and is surging in parts of the globe where emergency lockdown procedures had begun to be released. Here is Guernsey we only remain Covid free due to tightly restricted borders. Elsewhere in Britain numbers of infections and deaths are on the decline, but it remains to be seen how that will continue once a degree of 'normality' returns. Tough times for us all.

This storm is still raging. Like the storm that nearly drowned St Paul in Acts 27, there are moments when we almost feel overwhelmed. If you get a chance to read that exciting story some time in a modern version like The Message, or the New Living Translation, you will catch the awesome horror of a 14-day mega-storm that threatened to destroy Paul and nearly 300 others, adrift in the open sea. 

A couple of things strike me from that story that help me today. One is that although Paul was a prisoner in that ship, he was not a victim. He remained in touch with God through prayer and received specific guidance as to how to conduct himself through the crisis. Victim-hood leads to bitterness, self-pity, regret and fear and these are the enemies of victory. Then other is that Paul was adrift in the storm, but never abandoned. Hard as it was to face imminent death and destruction, the apostle knew that God was with him. In fact, he described himself to fellow strugglers with the storm as 'whose I am and whom I serve' (meaning God's). He never lost sight of his true calling or of God's nearness even in the dreadful circumstances he faced.

As this virus stalks the earth like a plague of Biblical proportions, let's choose victory over victim-hood, and trust God for the outcome. Paul didn't know he had an appointment in Malta on his way to Rome, and that his shipwreck was going to turn out to be the traumatic birthing of a new ministry. But God did.

'I was in constant agony'

 My story was featured in this month's edition of Christianity magazine in the UK. It is about my most recent book, 'Through the Storms: a manual for when life hurts' and takes a look back at the 22 years long odyssey of pain and hospitalisation that lies behind it. The magazine also says a lot about the recent anti-racism rallies around the globe, and I found its approach to be refreshing and well-balanced, even though I'm sure some will disagree.

I hope, though, that in telling my story I am doing more than simply marketing a book. At least four people told me last weekend that they are reading Through the Storms and finding it both challenging and helpful. Above all, I want it to bring glory to God and show people his amazing love. Faith is not always a procession of glorious successes. It is often written in what Winston Churchill called 'blood, toil, tears and sweat'. If you feel that your own faith is failing you in this current pandemic crisis, then can I encourage you to get hold of books like mine, and magazines like Christianity, which may help you to just get through. You only get a testimony when you have been through a test, and maybe one day your own story will be a help or encouragement to someone else.

You can also hear a recording of the full interview with the editor of Christianity magazine, Sam Hailes, on Saturday 11th July on Premier Christian Radio, the Profile at 8pm or download the Profile podcast from https://www.premierchristianradio.com/Podcasts .