Thoughts

It is amazing how COVID-19 has dominated so many things and changed so many plans. The issues of infections remain and there is still great anxiety and fear. The most vulnerable group of people, the people advised by the government to shield, are allowed to ease their isolation in August. These people will be allowed to return to work, to go out to the shops or return to school. They still need to be very cautious and take all the necessary precautions. The shielding advice is only paused and can be reintroduced if the infection rate increases. This presents a real dilemma, people are torn by the prospects of leaving isolation and restarting parts of their lives which have been paused. On the other hand, the threat of COVID-19 has not disappeared, just the threat has diminished. It will be a very hard choice to make for many people. This is still a difficult choice for many people who may not have been in the shielding category. There is safety in isolation and minimising the risk. However, for many people, the necessary issues of earning money and restarting their commitments outside of their homes is now a real and pressing issue. These issues add more worries and anxieties to an already difficult situation.

This is not unique to the difficulties we encounter with Coronavirus. If we reflect on other difficult times in our lives we see the same pattern of difficult decisions and anxieties building up and creating very real stress and anxieties. It is usually the combination of several different issues at the same time that we struggle with, it overwhelms us. We usually can not necessarily change the situation but instead, look at how to approach it. As we look at the Bible, we see many people struggling, they look to God for wisdom and strength to persevere. There are usually no easy solutions or miraculous transformations. It is something to be engaged with and worked at. As we look at Jesus’ life he found himself in the middle of conflict and an overwhelming demand on his time. The one clue that Jesus offers us in difficult times, is to make time to be still and quiet and talk to God. It helps us focus on what is important. The bible constantly reminds us to focus on the important things and not to be distracted by unimportant distractions. Many of us would rather do something that we enjoy instead of doing something difficult and important.

‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Matthew 6 vs. 34

We are very much reminded to live in the present and to focus on what we can achieve today. We should grasp difficult issues and not leave them for another day. They have a habit of building up to something bigger. One of the hardest steps is to admit we are struggling and need some help. We can ask friends, family and God for help. It is often that help that makes all the difference!

Rev. Martin Wood. The Rectory, Church Lane, Cheriton Bishop EX6 6HY 01647 24119 (Tuesday to Sunday) revwood163@gmail.com

As I write this, last week we had Mental Health Awareness Week and Ascension Day coincide. They may at first glance appear to have very little in common. Although, the message around Coronavirus has changed from ‘Stay at Home’ to ‘Stay Alert’ it still means many people are still staying at home and remaining isolated. From an infection control point of view, being in isolation is the best place because you cannot catch or pass on the infection if you are isolated. From a Mental Health perspective, being isolated and lonely is not healthy and likely to make things worse. These two factors are almost in direct conflict. It is why it has been so important for people to be in contact with family and friends through telephone calls, video calls, emails and sharing photos. It helps people not to feel isolated and alone. Our mental health is affected by many different factors, namely our ability to remain in contact with family and friends; our life situation, if we are under pressure or distress by our finances or employment / unemployment. We may be in a crisis caused by the loss of a close relation; we may be losing our housing or our physical health be deteriorating. These are just a few examples, there are many more, it shows often how complicated it can be. We should be encouraged that people can admit that things are not going well and they are struggling. Are we ready to respond positively when we ask the question “Are you alright?” and the answer is not “I am fine”. We need to care, to listen, to offer help and support rather than exchange pleasantries. It seems now more than any other time there will be a lot of people who are not alright. We need to support people in the way we want to be helped when we are struggling.

Ascension Day was both exciting and worrying. The disciples saw Jesus ascend to heaven but then they are on their own, isolated and the world feels intimidating. They are isolated on a mountain top and they see angels. But the reality is that they have to go back to Jerusalem and be ready to do God’s work. You cannot isolate yourself forever, at some point you have to engage in the world and get on with the things that you need to do. The disciples would have felt very inadequate without Jesus being present with them. Yet, Jesus promises that God would be with them helping and encouraging them. The same is true for each of us.

As we learn how God views every one of us with great value and importance, we should do likewise and value the people around us. It may be we have to reconnect with people we have lost touch with or take the time to stop and listen and help someone who feels isolated or lonely. We can all make a difference if we try to help others.

Rev. Martin Wood. The Rectory, Church Lane, Cheriton Bishop EX6 6HY 01647 24119 (Tuesday to Sunday) revwood163@gmail.com

As I write we are still in the stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives phase. We are all wondering what will happen next and when that might happen. Against the prospect of lifting of restrictions, we have daily reminders of the terrible cost of this pandemic with the daily death toll of hundreds of people who have died. Each one an unbearable loss for their family and friends. We have seen over a hundred people who have given care lose their lives. These people have had to confront the disease to carry on caring. We are in difficult times without a clear way forward.

We are moving forward through the year to the times where people have had to postpone or cancel important events that were planned a long time ago. There is a sense of loss of the things that can not now happen and frustration in not being able to know when and how we might plan things in the future. The self-isolation feels much worse when we are reminded of a time when we would have gathered together with family and friends. There is a sense both of hopelessness and a sense of there being no easy way forward. We have never navigated this crisis before and do not know what we should do. We have come through difficult times both in the country and in our personal lives. Reflecting on these times can give us clues about what we can do rather focus on what we cannot do. One of the common iithemes is always to keep trying and not to give up. There have been a whole range of posters with the slogan ‘ Keep Calm and Keep ……’ it could be cooking, sewing,  reading or any other activity you enjoy.

One of the places I look for help and inspiration is the book of Psalms in the Bible. Interestingly, they may be the oldest part of the Bible. They are also called the Song Book of the Old Testament. One of the interesting themes is that they can give a voice to God of the injustice and inequality around us. They give permission to share with God our deepest and darkest despairs and doubts. Psalm 88 is an example of placing our despair before God yet it longs for God and his comfort.   

‘O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry.’

The Psalms also offer hope and placing our trust in God. Psalm 121 would be a good example. It is always important to acknowledge our anxieties and worries. It never helps to deny concerns or pretend that we are alright when we are not. It is always important to talk and be heard. It can be friends, family or God who helps us get a perspective to keep trying and carrying on.

Rev. Martin Wood. The Rectory, Church Lane, Cheriton Bishop EX6 6HY 01647 24119 (Tuesday to Sunday) revwood163@gmail.com

It can be really frustrating when something that you think is certain suddenly changes. The Early May Bank Holiday has moved from Monday 4^th May to Friday 8^th May. This was announced last June, so that it coincides with the 75^th anniversary of VE Day. For many people that was too late. Millions of diaries had already been printed, so check your diary to make sure you are not working on the 8^th May! Many people had booked holidays around the bank holiday. Weddings have been booked assuming an extra day of celebration. I do not remember many bank holidays ever moving but recently we have had a few changes. In 1995 the bank holiday was moved from 1^st May to 8^th May for the 50^thanniversary of VE day. We have moved bank holidays for the Queen’s Diamond and Golden Jubilee. There have been several extra bank holidays for royal weddings with the last one being William and Kate in 2011. When I was thinking of the original VE celebrations, I was reminded of two things. The many hardships endured during the war and the hope of things getting better after the war. Secondly, the plea not forget the VJ Day on 14^th August. The two are linked to the end of the Second World War and are equally important. We are encouraged to keep the events of the past very much alive in the present so that many generations can acknowledge the sacrifice and cost of conflict. We are reminded to work for peace and never take it for granted.

What I had not realised last June when these plans were revealed, was the new order in which we now find ourselves, facing the hidden threat of COVID-19. We are to stay at home and not leave except for exceptional circumstances. We have seen panic buying of toilet rolls and hand sanitiser. We are in a whole new order where everything is cancelled except in emergency type situations. We are trying to protect the NHS from being overwhelmed. We are very concerned for the healthcare professionals who have to confront the illness, putting themselves in danger. We are trying to be good neighbours to those around in need without being able to be closer than two metres away. A whole new life that we could not have imagined. I do not want to draw similarities between what was happening 75 years ago and today. I just want to highlight the uncertainty and difficulties both events present.

I am reminded of the sayings ‘Men plan and God Laughs’ or ‘If you want to make God laugh just tell him your plans’. We have been reminded how fragile our plans really are and how we have to make adjustments for what actually happens in life. Let us remember that God is there at our most difficult times. It is always good to keep in touch with God through prayer. We are to follow Jesus’ example of looking out for the lost and lonely people to offer our help and support. We are to stay safe and well.

Rev. Martin Wood. The Rectory, Church Lane, Cheriton Bishop EX6 6HY 01647 24119 (Tuesday to Sunday) revwood163@gmail.com

It always seems odd to remind people when Easter is celebrated. It is Sunday 12th April which makes it slightly late. Easter is a movable feast and varies from year to year. It would be a lot easier if we fixed on a single date. However, it needs to be on a Sunday to follow the events of Holy Week. Easter Day can occur on a Sunday from 22^nd March to 25^thApril, which you can see is a large range of possible dates. It is set by the lunar calendar (rather than the solar calendar) and is linked to a full moon in Spring. The full moon this year is on Wednesday 8^th April assuming there are clear skies you can look out for the full moon.

You might ask why the moon is so important to Easter? It is linked to Jesus going to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover with his disciples. The Passover celebrations started over three thousand years ago when God’s people escaped slavery in Egypt. They escaped in the middle of the night and the full moon was essential for them to see as much as possible in the dark. We are also told it was Spring, a new beginning. The Easter celebration is linked to the Passover celebration. You might think it is a happy coincidence, however I might argue that there is parallel with Jesus’ death delivering us from the hold of death for our wrongdoing. We are given a new beginning and new hope. It seems much more than a coincidence. It is as if Jesus was building on the work God had already started, and Jesus is the Passover lamb.

As Easter is tied to Spring, we remember all sorts of new life and we have the images of baby chicks, new lambs and baby rabbits mixed into the images of Easter. I am not really convinced that the Easter Bunny with chocolate eggs is really that closely connected! Easter is very much a package which has evolved over time and it is sometimes hard to see all the connections. 

I always want to remind people that Easter is the last day of Holy Week. It is a week of watching the last week of Jesus’ earthly life. It starts brightly on Palm Sunday when Jesus is welcomed into Jerusalem with palms and people praising God. There is a real expectation that Jesus has come to be a Saviour. By Thursday he is betrayed by a friend and handed over to the authorities. On Good Friday the same crowd shout “Crucify, Crucify, Crucify!”. It all seems over on Friday as Jesus is dead and buried. His disciples are lost and confused. Easter Sunday heralds a new order as his followers encounter Jesus alive in a new way. Easter comes to us after Jesus’ death. It is not just a celebration but a painful journey that we travel before we get to Easter Sunday.

It makes no sense to celebrate Easter Sunday if we do not acknowledge that our wrongdoing, leads Jesus to Good Friday and his death. The remarkable thing is that death is not the end in God’s world!

Rev. Martin Wood. The Rectory, Church Lane, Cheriton Bishop EX6 6HY 01647 24119 (Tuesday to Sunday) revwood163@gmail.com

There is a real awareness that we are all under more pressure than we use to be. There is a sense that work is more demanding and there is little or no job security. The loss of a job can pose huge difficulties in the face of ongoing financial commitments like a mortgage, children or students needing financial support. There is a new pressure to be available to respond quickly or instantly through our mobile devices. So what might have been a time of peace away from pressure, could now add to our worries. I am most aware that our children are more exposed to that pressure to be constantly in contact. There is now a condition called the fear of missing out or FOMO. There is also more pressure on them to excel at their schoolwork and exams. I was happy to pass and any higher grades were a bonus. Now it is all about whether you get the highest grades in order to have any chance of succeeding. It is no wonder that people are worried or struggling with their mental health and wellbeing. Happily, there is much more awareness and help available but there is still a long way to go to really meeting the need.

I am reminded of a bible story of the prophet Elijah (1 Kings Chapter 19) set nearly three thousand years ago. Elijah has been on the run from the king, he was kept alive by God during a famine and drought. He has had probably his best day defeating the prophets of Baal, praying and getting rain to break the drought. He then gets a death threat from Queen Jezebel. Instead of trusting in God’s protection, he runs away to the wilderness and asks God to take his life away. We would now say he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or a nervous or mental breakdown. Despite his great success, he is still vulnerable and human. This is true for all of us whether we are very successful or having a series of unexpected stressful events we can all encounter a mental health issue. The statistics suggest one in four people will experience a mental health problem.  It is not a rare condition but one that often people rarely speak about.

Back to the Elijah story, we learn some helpful ideas. The first and most important idea is that God does not condemn Elijah for his failings. Instead, he offers support in the form of an angel that provides hot bread and (I assume cold) water. He meets Elijah’s physical needs. He allows Elijah to have two big periods of sleep to refresh and restore him. He provides strength and support. Lastly, Elijah waits on God who comes to him in the ‘sound of sheer silence’. He gives Elijah a new purpose and task. It is worth remembering the importance of rest, sleep and good fresh food that really nourishes us. When we are lost, we often have to have a purpose in order to find our way back to God and the people we love. These principles still work well today as they did many years ago.

Rev. Martin Wood. The Rectory, Church Lane, Cheriton Bishop EX6 6HY 01647 24119 (Tuesday to Sunday) revwood163@gmail.com