Hope and Fear
Just over a week ago Paul and I met and were discussing the events that were overtaking us. I informed him that Almancil congregation had just been told that ASCA was no longer available to us. We had just spent the morning moving church things out of the building. He kindly offered to share the convent building or the Lagoa congregation’s service with us. He informed us that the city had assured him that there was no problem with continuing to use the building indefinitely. Lagoa’s fall back position was the cloisters of the building and Almancil’s was to meet in Linda’s and my house.
Three days later we both had to bow to the impending Portuguese State of Emergency and close services indefinitely. To misquote the well known song - What a difference a few days make!
Make no mistake, our world has shifted on its axis and, although we will see the end of this emergency, nothing will ever be the same again. This is one of those rare world-wide events that will shape a generation or two. It also gives us as Christians a new opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Change always brings fear and there is much fear around: fear of dying, fear of catching the virus, fear for jobs and investments and businesses and economies, fear for others and fear of others, fear of the unknown and fear of the change itself. What stands in contrast to fear is an unwavering hope: the hope that is the sure knowledge of the goodness, the faithfulness and the love of God. This hope is evidenced by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promises of God evidenced through the power of God’s Holly Spirit.
This is what we have to give in this season of change and fear. We can live our lives with a faith that is evidence of a sure and certain hope of God’s love in this life and His welcome to us in the next. We can give ourselves to others through this hope. We can tell others about Him through our words and lives. We can offer this hope to others when they cannot find it for themselves. This has been the job of the Church through the ages and it is our job now.
St Paul puts it this way,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” Hebrews 11:1-2
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29
We may be buried in the tombs of our own homes and flats but we still have the phone, our voices, computers and conversation at a safe social distance. We still can interact through windows, across balconies and fences, while shopping or filling the car. We can talk to families and friends far away, shop helpers, neighbours and fellow Christians. We can find ways to do small acts of kindness and bless others with our help and our faith. We can refuse to be cowed by fear and be made bold through our faith and God’s wisdom.
My prayer is that All Saints Church sees significant growth during these next weeks. A growth where God takes our lives and, although hidden in our own homes, shows others His love His mercy, His forgiveness and His hope. While this is clearly impossible by ourselves, it is certainly possible with God. I am praying for God to use us to perform a miracle here in the Algarve and build His Kingdom in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please join with Linda and me in this prayer.