I was recently asked to name an unexpected blessing which I had encountered during the coronavirus outbreak.

I have reflected on this and perhaps the most striking thing is that I feel unusually calm. As I wash my hands for the umpteenth time, I’m still singing Richard Bewes’ hymn based on Psalm 46, which goes to the tune of the Dambusters March:

God is our strength and refuge,
our present help in trouble,
and we therefore will not fear,
though the earth should change …

I think this has penetrated to my inner being (singing hymns and worship songs is a good way to teach ourselves about God), especially the word ‘Therefore’. Knowing that God is our strength and refuge enables believers to rest secure in God and to trust him in good times and bad.

As we begin to emerge from lockdown (at least for a while), I find myself wondering what we can learn, thinking of Biblical characters who experienced a ‘lockdown’ of sorts. One such was St Paul, who was literally imprisoned several times and also described the period before his conversion as being imprisoned by sin.

As Paul emerged to new life, he wondered how he should react to the new-found freedoms he experienced in Christ. His conclusion (Romans 6.2 etc) was that “By no means” should he abuse his new-found freedom. Our situation is a very different context, but I think the guts of our answer should be the same: we should enjoy and not overstretch or abuse the freedoms we have. (Even as I type I find myself agreeing with Professor VanTam’s words in a recent Downing Street Briefing.)

As we move into the next phase of response to coronavirus, my hope and prayer is that we will use freedoms responsibly, knowing both the freedom and security that God gives and the limitations He urges for the choices we make.

Wishing you God’s best,

David