We are in lockdown again. By now we know what to do. We know that it probably is a good precautionary measure. Still, it also means that we miss out on events, gatherings and activities that we value. We were meant to celebrate my parents’ golden wedding anniversary. That has to be put off now. I know of several other travel plans that have been disrupted. And the hospitality industry is suffering again with people less likely to venture out to explore the country with that renewed sense of uncertainty. Many of us were only slowly getting more comfortable to plan further ahead, even though we had recently learned to avoid travel to Australia.

This lockdown is a reminder for us about the uncertain times we live in. And while COVID-19 is probably the most obvious example of such uncertainty, other social, political, technological and environmental developments also heighten the feeling that we don’t know how our world is changing. As we learned during last year’s lockdown it is particularly during times of uncertainty that we need some stability in our lives. In past centuries that stability has often been afforded by the family and the wider community. In our individualistic society those forms of social stability have been eroded. However, I think we should be thankful for those we live with, those we are in regular contact with and those that are in some sense community for us. I hope the church can also be such a community, one that also points to yet a greater source of stability—God as revealed in Jesus Christ.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2