The unknowing of now
Blog by Emma Howarth, MitE Director of Operations
Today (15th June) marks quite a change in lockdown restrictions in England. Non-essential shops and businesses re-open across the country after 10 weeks closure.
Never have shops had to close in such a widespread unprecedented manner. Of course, things will not be the same when the shops reopen. We should keep 2m apart (I say ‘should’ because inevitably some people do not seem to think the rules apply to them) and everything has got to be slower, there is no way that the frantic zipping around can be maintained in a time of social distancing. Simple acts like browsing in shops, brushing against someone’s sleeve, aimlessly wandering through the mall are not going to be possible. Please, spare a thought for the shop workers and managers. Their anxieties and pressures of reopening are on top of the concerns of leaving the safety of their homes, the worries of childcare or return to school, the fears of exposing themselves and their families to infection.
Places of worship can also open for private prayer. When I said this to someone, they asked why this was necessary. Not an unreasonable statement as if the prayer is private this could go on anywhere – as indeed it does. The significance of a place of worship being open for private prayer is great as it instantly makes it more accessible. It is a sign to say, ‘We are open as usual!’. Anecdotally we hear that more people are praying since the coronavirus pandemic emerged. Apparently there have been more Google searches for ‘Prayer’ than ever before. This seems to indicate a thirst for connection with a higher being that I would identify as God. If opening places of worship to the public for private prayer assists people in exploring their spirituality and their sense of being, then it should be done (in a safe and appropriate way). Opening places of worship creates a safe space that is welcoming and available to everyone, regardless of their position on the spectrum of faith.
For those enabling the places of worship to open, it is a privilege to do so, allowing a haven in the storm of fear with God at the centre. As mentioned earlier, there are many fears plaguing people at this time, there is also the fear that cannot be pinpointed, a feeling, sense of unease and unsettledness. For Christians, the security of God and His promise that He will always be with us is one that cannot be underestimated. I believe this to be a truth for me and I feel secure in God. A lot of people are struggling with an insecurity in the present times, one person I know called it “the unknowing of now”. Security though is not enough in itself. A child feels secure when a parent holds their hand, but it is the trust that they have in the adult that glues all experience together. For me it is the trust that I have that God wants the best for me and He will not only carry me through this time, but will hold on and continue to be there after the pandemic is over. The rainbows in windows that are still prevalent, although not much talked about currently, still lift my spirits because they remind me of God’s promise that I will not be alone. There is still hope.
When you visit a ‘non-essential’ shop or call into a place of worship, hold on to the hope and promise that we will, and we are coming through this time of uncertainty. Be kind to people, especially to those who are enabling you to visit the place you are in. Maybe try prayer, that might be something that makes a difference to you in these uncertain times.