Prioritising trust and love when life is uncertain
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SRE has been suspended for the remainder of Term 1 and it’s important that our response is shaped by our trust in God and love for others.
This year I decided to gift my nieces and nephews with experiences for their birthdays instead of buying presents. When my niece Charlotte had her birthday in January, I bought us tickets to see the Wiggles in March. It was a long wait for a three-year-old! Then a week before the concert, it was cancelled.
The disappointment I felt is being repeated as so many things around us are suspended or postponed. In the space of a week life has changed.
Ministry is no different. On Wednesday (18th March) Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a ban on all non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people. For many of us, this means church will need to adapt to a new normal. Suddenly conversations about what online discipleship looks like are at the forefront of people’s minds. Then, in the midst of this SRE has temporarily stopped in many schools.
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If you’re feeling anything like me there’s anxiety and grief involved. I love my students and realising I’m not going to be able to see them for a while is a sad and disappointing thing. Not only because I love teaching them, but because I’m deeply committed to seeing them grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus.
Despite this, I also need to reflect on how my response can be shaped by trust in God and love of others.
Trust in God
I care deeply for my SRE students and I know our lessons are a wonderful opportunity to develop their understanding and faith. But my loving concern for them is second to the loving concern of their heavenly Father. He is the one who nurtures their faith through his Spirit.
Our love for our students will never be greater than God’s love for them. The Holy Spirit doesn’t practise social distancing. His work is not on hold. Jesus’ promise in John 6 has been on my mind this week:
“All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” - John 6:37
So, don’t panic! Keep praying for those in your SRE classes, remembering and trusting God is good and sovereign.
Love for others
When asked about the greatest commandment Jesus answered:
“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” - Matthew 22:37-39
We are going to be faced with lots of opportunities to love people in new ways over the next few days, weeks and months. There will be times when we love people by not showing up because we’re unwell or because they are vulnerable. If your SRE is continuing, teach faithfully and remind people of the gospel. Right now people need hope more than ever and there is no greater hope than Jesus.
You can also pray for people. As you sign in at the school office, let the admin staff know that you’re praying for them. Acknowledge and thank them for their work. Likewise your classroom teachers. As the saying goes there are no atheists in foxholes. In a time of high stress praying with and for people is a very practical thing to do.
Our trust in God’s sovereignty both directs and frees us to love others in unique ways in this current crisis. It’s not easy and it’s not comfortable so this week please talk and pray with someone you trust. Share your feelings honestly and remind each other of God’s goodness.
How will your trust in God and love of others impact your response this week
