Waves that Carry us Forward
I sense there have been two waves of positive change in this time of COVID-19. And I suspect there will be a third.
The first wave came about because of Lock-down. We were suddenly deprived of human face to face contact and interaction. In that moment I remember thinking how beautiful it was to see a friend's face on Zoom, and how precious were moments spent together outside at 2 metre distance if a friend came by with shopping.
Stuck at home, unable to really shop or work meaningfully as before, we suddenly saw that we could get by with less than we had been used to. People and their faces became everything, possessions and trivial pursuits were not so important, and we were challenged into Simplicity. People and Simplicity, or you could say: 'loving people' and being freed up from material concerns - there was a certain healthy contentment with this which was freeing.
It became socially unacceptable to be selfish. TV adverts extolled Kindness and volunteering and the NHS and Key Workers. Captain Tom was our Hero. Loving People and Simplicity was the first wave. And then smack in the middle of this heightened awareness of the importance of people, came the murder of an individual person, an unknown black man, George Floyd, by a Police Officer. The murder which might have passed with little attention earlier in the year was suddenly seen for what it was, a racist killing in broad daylight.
So began what I call the Second Wave. A wave of fighting Racial Injustice, and maybe injustice generally. So we have three things now: Loving People, Simplicity, and Racial Justice. What will the third positive wave be? Who knows? But let's embrace it when it comes and make a better world together.
As a person of faith, I struggle like all of us do. I find what helps me in times of stress, lack of control and uncertainty about the future is to know that I am loved unconditionally.
Few writings have expressed it so well as this ancient 3000 year old meditation or ‘Psalm’ I’ve been thinking of - Psalm 139. I share it with you - be encouraged, peace. I pause to be still; to breathe slowly; to re-centre my scattered senses... You have looked deep into my heart, Lord, and you know all about me. You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts. You notice everything I do and everywhere I go.
Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say, and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side. I can’t understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me. Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight? If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there.
Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean. Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me. Or suppose I said, “I’ll hide in the dark until night comes to cover me over.” But you see in the dark because daylight and dark are all the same to you. You are the one who put me together inside my mother’s body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt.
Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below, but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do. Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine. I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach. And when I awake, I will find you nearby. Look deep into my heart, God, and find out everything I am thinking. Don’t let me follow evil ways, but lead me in the way that time has proven true.