When we went into the first lockdown, I did question why churches were being told to close and cease all services. This did seem to be against our right to freedom of religion and we needed our churches more than ever, particularly at the beginning, because there was so much fear around (and there still is). At a time when we should have been able to go to a peaceful place and pray, we were told the doors had to be closed and we should all stay at home.
We all followed these rules, of course, as our governments were in charge of reacting to what was going on and we needed to do what was best for everyone. With hindsight, I am sure they wouldn’t do this again and just as now during this lockdown, we can pray and have services in our churches, we would have been able to do so before.
I do think however that church and state should be completely separate. The church shouldn’t interfere in politics (unless decisions are being made against strongly held beliefs) and the state shouldn’t interfere in the running of our churches. By giving in so easily in the first place, we weakened this position.
Psalm 46 says God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The reality is that there will be difficult times, but God promises to be our refuge, our hope and ever present help in trouble and was with us in all that we went through.
We have learnt a lot in this pandemic: how to care for one another, empathise with others’ grief, slow down and reflect on the world around us and strive to look after ourselves mentally and physically. Despite the awful and sad death toll, we can try to take some positives and grow spiritually.
God bless and be with you and strengthen you,
Widows Mote 