Back or forward?
A reflection for moving out of lockdown
For this reflection you will need: paper and pen
Emerging from lockdown we are faced with a choice. Do we want to go back to normal or forward to something better? The recent queues at McDonalds and other fast food outlets suggest business is returning to usual, so the time is ripe to think and dream. This can be done on a number of levels, but all require some reflection and soul searching.
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”.
Say this outloud, slowly and prayerfully
Be
Be still
Be still and
Be still and know
Be still and know that
Be still and know that I
Be still and know that I am
Be still and know that I am God.
Or sing the song.
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am God.
I am the Lord that healeth thee
I am the Lord that healeth thee
I am the Lord that healeth thee.
In thee, O Lord, I put my trust
In thee, O Lord, I put my trust
In thee, O Lord, I put my trust.
Prayerfully consider these questions:
What changes have you experienced in this time of lockdown?
What changes would you like to keep?
As you answer, try to think about:
Environment
Gatherings (friends, concerts, sports)
Wealth (how you spend and earn money)
Others (the poor here and the poor overseas)
The pace of life.
Additional questions to ponder:
What is rest for you?
How can this rest help you?
What do you think your body, mind or spirit is doing during rest?
Response
· Write a letter to yourself, dated now and to be opened in 6 months time. Tell yourself about your thoughts as a result of these questions, and any other thoughts you’ve had. Commit yourself to change.
· Write a letter as a family. Consider these questions as a family and together write a letter to yourselves, to be opened at a certain date in the future. Commit yourselves to change.
· Write a letter as a workplace, home group, church community, football club….
“We will not go back to normal. Normal never was. Our pre-corona existence was not normal other than we normalized greed, inequity, exhaustion, depletion, extraction, disconnection, confusion, rage, hoarding, hate and lack. We should not long to return, my friends. We are being given the opportunity to stitch a new garment. One that fits all of humanity and nature.”
Sonya Renee Taylor