Asking questions is good
By THE REV NEIL SMART, associate vicar, St Jude’s, Southsea
One of the good things about the Covid-19 crisis for me has been extra walks along the seafront.
Among all the confusion and uncertainty, it has been good to get to the promenade and enjoy the space out across the sea.
This winter, I’ve noticed in a new way how changeable the beach is. Usually in the summer the stones are piled up into ridges and humps which are so useful if you want to escape from strong winds.
But the autumn storms have spread the stones evenly across the beach, often exposing the sand buried beneath. There are days when the beach is completely flat from the wall at the top down to the edge of the shore.
This got me thinking about the power of the waves and the impact they obviously have.
Our preoccupation at the moment is the waves of the Covid virus and their impact on our lives. Each time something changes, we see new restrictions being imposed, making it difficult to plan anything.
But, however big the storm is and no matter how high the waves, the beach is always there when the sun comes out again. In the same way, however bad the pandemic becomes, I know there will be sunny days when we can paddle, sunbathe and enjoy ice-creams together.
Like the stones on the beach, we can’t stop the waves coming but we can rest in the knowledge that God will hold us in it all.
I have peace and hope for the future because of my faith in God’s love. Perhaps that’s something you find it harder to trust in?
Perhaps you have questions about where God is during the pandemic, or how he can really help you.
Maybe the uncertainty of this pandemic might cause you to think more deeply about why we exist, what your purpose is, and whether the Christian faith can help?
If so, I’d love you to join me for an online Alpha course, starting on January 14, at which you can ask all the questions you like. You can find out more on sjs. church/alpha.