Staying together whilst we're apart
Having spent the last couple of days chatting and praying with a number of us, one of the main prayer points has been about heading home.
Universities are strongly advising students to head home if able to do so and in a way that does not put anyone at risk. There are many of us still here due to self-isolation, or those back home are currently self-isolating, so there is a waiting before you can return. Or you are caught between the advice to head home and the pull of being with family, but also wanting to stay as there are friends and responsibilities here you want to look after.
A couple of thoughts for those in Canterbury: with the situation nationally and internationally changing daily, we can be concerned about lockdowns, travel restrictions and border closures, so time does feel pressing. Every context will be different, but make sure you seek good wisdom from a few trustworthy sources. Watch out for misinformation or being governed by fear – go to good websites and speak to trusted persons to help decide. Talk to your university for any guidance they can give you for your particular situation. And of course, be prayerful through it all – God might not tell you exactly what to do but he does give us clarity when we feel confused and peace when we feel afraid. His word is full of wisdom, so turn to Scripture and he will help and guide you.
If you are in Canterbury and self-isolating, remember we are here as a church to help - there is a link at the bottom of this post where you can share your details and needs. We are with you in the fight against loneliness and lack.
For those who are home already: I miss you! The most enjoyable part of my role is being with you all – whether it is meeting up for a coffee, being together at Pursuit, chatting on a Sunday morning or catching up over lunch, I love being together so I feel sad when I worry about when we’ll be doing all these things together again. Soon and very soon, please, Lord.
We as a church will miss you. From the oldest to the youngest, every one of us is a part of this family called The City Church. Whether you’ve only just started coming along or you have been here a while, we are not the same without you here in Canterbury.
But I am already encouraged about still being together on this journey of following Jesus whilst physically apart. We have done a few online prayer rooms these last two days, and it has been so helpful to see each other’s faces, to hear about each other’s situations and to pray together. We will continue these next week, as well as working out how we can host Pursuit and Tribes online. Church on Sundays will be online. How amazing to think we can still come together like this – it’s not the same, but it still a blessing I want us all to make the most of.
This is all new to us, but it is nothing new to God. I was reading Joel this morning, and it tells of plagues of locusts and invading armies coming against the people of God. They turn back to him and cry out to him, and he replies with words of comfort and assurance and promises of getting them through their troubles into times of harvest and peace. He is somehow able to hold the whole world in his hands whilst also knowing our very thoughts from afar. He cares about what the world is facing and what we are going through.
We will find ourselves by ourselves at many points right now. Look after yourself. Keep yourself in the love of God. Turn to him every day. Keep reading the Bible and praying to him as acts of devotion and worship. Listen to worship music. Pray. Rest in his presence.
But do not forget that we are still united in Christ and still a church family, even as we find ourselves scattered back home earlier than we thought and unsure of when we’ll be back together in the same room again. He knows when that will be and has many plans for us whilst we wait. We are not alone – God is with us and we are still with each other.
For our church response to coronavirus, including links to let us know you are here in Canterbury and either self-isolating or able to help others, click on this link: https://www.thecitychurch.org.uk/coronavirus-response
About the Author
Sam Gardner is City Students leader and ID supervisor at the City Church. He is passionate about seeing young adults come to know Jesus and spend their lives following Him.
Sam loves his wife Andi, exercising, having dinner with friends and a good cup of tea in the morning.
