Becoming Invisible


Becoming Invisible
 
‘Now faith is confidence
in what we hope for
and assurance about
what we do not see.’
Hebrews 11:1
 
Jesus has gone to prepare 
a place for us.

That is His promise to us.
 
We have never seen what is ahead, but we are trusting in the promises He has made to us.
 


One early disciple wanted to SEE what was ahead, saying
 ‘Lord Show us the way.’
 Jesus reminded him then, and us now, the He was the Way.

 ‘I am the Way, and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.’ St John 14:16.
 
The writer to the Hebrew Christians picks up this same teaching, 
and writes of the confidence, assurance and hope of Christians, 
exactly because of their faith and trust in Jesus.

In these long months since the 17th March ‘notice to close’ sent to parishes, we have learned a lot about what it means to trust again in 
His promises alone, to have faith in the Unseen, to trust Him for the things we cannot SEE.

Since March, I cannot see the usual posters and banners in town advertising the ministries and events of the parish; I cannot see the lights on in the parish hall,  parked cars lining the Murley Road, the full pages of the parish’s diary, lists for the ongoing round of meetings, planning, reviews, pastoral visits, visits to nursing and and residential homes. There are no school assemblies with an invitation to speak, 
and few special events planned for outreach.

In some ways, parish life has become Unseen. Invisible perhaps.

There has been a lot to get used to. Setting up a first Facebook page in March, working out what is and how to use Zoom and Microsoft Teams, negotiating what worship and ministry might look like in very changed times.
 
There have however been some successes and gains.
Children’s Ministries have tried to communicate well to families 
and parents. Letters, packs and work sheets have been sent. 
Enrolments have moved online. 
91 children and young people have registered for one group, 
20 in another. 
Some groups have struggled for leaders.
Others have strived as they negotiate an online presence.
Some have simply struggled to sort out the audio and video settings on tablets and phones.
Reassuringly, I notice how even professional and competent individuals at meetings can lose connection, blunder to find mute and unmute, 
and how to get the lighting set for the video links. We are not alone.

Although there are many examples of pioneering leaders and individuals who have supported and encouraged, some hard truths remain. 
Attendance at church services is very low.
This week I was struck by the visible fear some are carrying in their faces as they negotiate with themselves how to live and worship 
in a pandemic.

Church could become invisible. In a week where there is much lauded hope of a vaccine, and a return to ‘normal’ by the Spring, 
I cannot but wonder what a future normal might be like.
 
Will we be able to SEE church in the terms we were used to?

What have we gained during ‘lockdown’ that perhaps is 
too precious to give up?

There is a lot to be said for meetings online. It is a joy not to have to travel endless miles to meetings which can take up much of a day. 
There is a certain benefit in knowing a meeting will be 40 minutes online, or that the contributions are focused because of time constraints.



And there is something to be said too for enhanced family time 
which this season has given. 
It has been lovely to have company for lunch on days where someone can work from home, or take a walk with someone at home on days when schools are closed. There has been newly discovered time to see the great beauty in Creation, and a new creativity has been discovered in home hobbies and crafts. This was a season to revel in the sight of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, once thought absent from this island, or seeing local Jays, red squirrel, fallow deer, and Red Admiral butterflies basking in Autumnal sun.
 
 
 Other parish encouragements include 
 the online Bible study and Reading Group.
 Both groups have an associated book. 
 Bible study are reading 
 The Names Of Jesus, by Warren Wiersbe. 
 The Reading Group are reading 
 The Grace Of   Waiting by Margaret Whipp. 
 Both   books are   providing much encouragement,   teaching and   challenge, and participants are   acknowledging their   appreciation in their   attendance across the weeks.
 

On Sunday mornings, we have studied many of the passages which tell of the pilgrim people, looking ahead to the heavenly Zion. 
That too has been a very gripping series of teaching, and a journey 
to which we are privileged to dedicate ourselves. 

It links well to a phrase in chapter 7 of The Grace Of Waiting.
 
'He who waits in absolute seriousness is already grasped by that 
for which he waits.’

It is very telling listening to those engaged with Sunday morning teaching, or online participants of Bible Study and Reading Group, 
how they are already gaining the Kingdom which Jesus has prepared for those who love Him.

Clearly in this unexpected days, as much of our previous work now seems unseen and unnoticed, God is working out His purposes in ways we do not always have to SEE.

Our hope and faith and confidence then are not in the usual outward and familiar signs of the Kingdom, but in trusting Him for that which is unseen. 

It brings to mind the words He told , 

‘Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.’ St John 12:24

Jesus had every confidence in the outworking of His Kingdom, thinking of the great work of regeneration which goes on even when a seed is hidden in the ground. Every gardener knows the miracle of new growth that comes after the time of sowing in fresh soil.

There is something inherent in His Kingdom that flourishes in times and ways that are not always so obvious.

May that be so in this season of set-apartness. Amen.

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