Put Yourself in the Picture!

I recently received an Advent email with this monochrome photograph attached. Proving the old adage, ‘A picture is worth a thousand words,’ this photo depicts both the horrors of war and the hope of Christianity. Here is a story within a story, a parable portraying an earthly narrative with a heavenly meaning. While the camera catches the brutality of the past, it also prophetically portrays the promise of the future.

On Advent Sunday 1940 St Mary’s Church was among the thousands of buildings devastated in the so-called ‘Southampton Blitz’.

At first glance, the photograph seems dominated by an empty-shell. Lacking the beauty of its ornate roof and stain-glass windows, the viewer is overwhelmed by the ravages of war. For those who place buildings at the centre of their Christian faith, this picture is deeply disturbing. But those who understand the church to be more than a place, but a people radically changed, by the life and teachings of Jesus - this picture is a beacon of hope.

Seeing the big picture takes us beyond the ruins to reveal a congregation bowing their heads in an act of public worship. This is the true grandeur of this story. Here we see faith rising amidst the ruins - a congregation refusing to give in to the tyranny of the Nazi German Luftwaffe. In the face of all opposing factors, these Christ followers take the opportunity to publicly demonstrate their faith.

Even though their place of worship lacked basic amenities and offered a valid excuse to stay at home, given the opportunity, the faithful answered the call to public worship. Their very presence in the photograph, bears witness to the fact that these people put personal inconvenience above individual comfort.

Seventy-years on we can only imagine what was going on in the minds of these shell-shocked believers as they re-grouped in the ruins of St Mary’s Church.

Amidst the appalling aftermath of a terrible year, these Southampton saints, refused to avoid ‘worshipping together as some do,’ [1] and decided to come together in an act of Christian solidarity.

Seventy-years on, 2020 paints a similar picture. With 1.5 million global deaths and rising, the last year will not easily be forgotten. Although church buildings remained open throughout World War II, we have had to substitute meeting in person for on-line services. Separated from family and friends, the past year will be memorable for all the wrong reasons.

With the possibility of corporate worship on the horizon, we have to realize that recovery from the effects of this pandemic, will take time. Feeling anxious, some will be reticent to return to a church building. While those who have grown comfortable with their new found Sunday freedom, might require some personal persuasion to come back. Wherever you stand on this issue, we should perhaps put ourselves in the picture and consider the dedication of those in the photograph. These people refused to allow anything or anyone to stop them accepting the invitation to worship.

However we feel about returning to corporate worship put yourself in the picture and consider those who came together in the aftermath of a devastating year.

That said, let me offer a word of advice. In our rush to switch on the lights, start up the band and resume normal services as soon as possible, we should perhaps consider pressing the pause button. Maybe our first act of public worship should be a moment of prayerful reflection. Like those in the photograph, all of us will know someone who has suffered personal loss in this past year. So maybe we should initially reflect on the social, emotional, financial and spiritual loss caused by this pandemic. To prayerfully remember those keyworkers who have sacrificially served us along with those scientists who have worked tirelessly to create a vaccine.

But having spent time reflecting, we should then rejoice. We should thank God for his goodness and grace that has kept us sane and safe throughout lockdown. Show our gratitude that once again we can hug our grandchildren and meet up with family and friends. To be grateful for a life we so easily take for granted. And what better place to do all this, than to gather together in church buildings and once again collectively worship God.

So, what will we do when eventually we have the opportunity to get together? Will anxiety or apathy keep us away – or will we like the people in the picture, in the aftermath of a terrible year hear God’s call to corporate worship.

[1]Hebrews 10:25, MSG

Why Bother with Books?

As people begin to surf the Internet rather than purchase a book, some are questioning their future. In a recent survey carried out by the charity Booktrust, it was concluded that ‘more than half adults (56%) said they think the internet and computers will replace books in the next twenty years. Almost half of those questioned (45%) said they prefer watching TV and DVD’s to reading a novel’ More than one-third (36%) say they often start a book but get bored, while a similar proportion (35%) say they cannot find time to read’ [1] Whatever the future, the present reality is, bookshops and publishers are struggling with sales amid the COVID-19 pandemic. All of which might cause writers and readers alike to ask, ‘Why Bother with Books?’

Thankfully there are still a number of book-lovers who not only appreciate the tactile value of a book, but believe that ‘people who read regularly are more satisfied with life, happier and more likely to feel their life is worthwhile.’ [2] Within this group of diehard literature lovers, we have the so-called ‘book-addicts’, people for whom a well-stocked bookshop is as irresistible as a sweet-shop to a child. Drawn to the purveyor of the printed page, these book aficionados will spend hours scanning the shelves to find their next reading fix - if only then to add their latest purchase to the ever-increasing pile of must-read tomes.

As a novice author wanting to encourage other would-be authors, I have come to believe that readers are a rare breed. Like grownups messing around with water, potential readers seem to fall into one of three categories: Skimmer, Swimmer or Soaker.

Skimmers, like their stone-bouncing counterparts, have little interest in venturing into the water. For them, reading is a carefree exercise, a momentary means of light-hearted entertainment. Wanting maximum bounce for their buck, they will more than likely judge a book by its cover. For the few seconds a book is in their hands, they will skip read the highlights and skim through its contents, before quickly returning it to the bookshelf. Easily distracted by other more interesting exercises, Skimmers experience little of the lasting effect gained by submerging themselves into a literary masterpiece.

Swimmers, throw themselves into a book, they dive in without a moment’s hesitation. For them reading is a mental exercise that will improve their personal well-being. Submerging themselves into the environment created by an author, Swimmers are totally committed to the personal benefits the time spent reading can bring. Occasionally coming up for air, good Swimmers will enjoy the ebb and flow of a good story, staying with a book as long as they find it personally beneficial.

While Swimmers are good, what most authors need are Soakers. More subdued and contemplative in their approach to reading, Soakers want the full effect of their reading experience. Marinating their minds in the material, Soakers will underline the text, make marginal notes and revisit certain key chapters. Their sole purpose in submerging themselves into the warm waters of a literary enterprise is the thought of experiencing a life-changing moment. With mandatory pen in hand, Soakers set out on each reading expedition fully expecting a ‘eureka moment’ that will radically affect what they believe and ultimately how they behave.

Authors create pools into which Swimmers will exercise their little grey cells

and Soakers will experience a eureka moment

If not for fame and fortune, why do authors do what they do? Spending hours poring over their manuscript, with numerous re-writes and endless push backs from publishers, authors do what they do to inform, inspire or instruct. Author’s cannot stop what they are doing, for like the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah, they have ‘a fire … burning in their bones,’ a story they are ‘worn out trying to hold … in.’ [3]

Creative writers are passionate people, the forerunners of a spiritual renaissance we so desperately need. To these much-needed individuals I would say:

· Don’t delay, pursue your passion

· Don’t be distracted, find the time to write

· Don’t be discouraged by the people, objects or events

· Don’t be dictated to by fads and fashion, God’s truth is timeless

· Don’t be denied your opportunity to proclaim what burns within

In this present creative renaissance, there is a fresh wave of anointing coming

on writers and scribes to commit to paper a God-given message.

So, whether or not books have a limited future, it’s my belief that there are still Swimmers who will wholeheartedly dive into the text. Soakers who will marinate in a book to experience a transformational moment. So, if for no other reason, let’s create some literary pools for Swimmers and Soakers to enjoy.

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[1] www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-26515836

[2] Ibid

[3] Jeremiah 20:9 MSG

Am I Colour Blind?

When our son attended Junior School, his best buddy was a boy called Dillan! Although we’d never met him, our 6-year-old couldn’t stop talking about his friend. Not surprising when you consider that our son was, and still is, a social animal. For us a Parent/Teacher evening would often culminate in a teacher commenting on the fact that our son treated school more as, ‘a social event,’ than ‘a learning experience.’

So, if school was a place to socialize, then Dillan had become our son’s ‘partner in crime.’ After much cajoling it was agreed, with the consent of his parents, that Dillan would spend the evening with us. We would pick both boys up from school and they would have a few hours to play and eat together in our home.

However, while our son was excited, we were concerned. How, from the hundreds of giddy children leaving the school premises, were we supposed to recognize a boy we had never met? To this parental dilemma our son quickly applied his six-year-old logic. In a very matter-of-fact way, he simply informed us that his best buddy was easily recognizable because, ‘Dillan always wears an orange top!’

As two overly concerned parents waited at the school gate our concerns were soon elevated as we spotted our son, along with his best mate running excitedly down the school drive. And sure, enough our son’s description was correct, Dillan was wearing an orange top.

However, the amazing reality of this unforgettable moment had nothing to do with the colour choice of Dillan’s clothing and everything to do with the fact that our son was blind to the reality that Dillan was of Asian origin. To him, racial difference was totally irrelevant. Dillan was a fellow human being, a fun-loving person he had struck up a lasting friendship and racial origin was not an issue.

It was clear, that our six-year-old-son was and still is, ‘Colour Blind’.

With riots in the USA and rallies in the UK, the question of race and racism has once again become a topic of conversation. But more than issue that society needs to get to grips with, for me, recent world events have poised some very personal and pertinent questions. Questions to which, I need to seek answers.

It is so easy to quote those who rightly say, ‘There is no hierarchy in humanity.' But right now, my actions need to speak louder than my words.

Despite someone’s ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, as someone who holds to a Judeo-Christian belief system, I must demonstrate the truth that we are all equally loved and valued by God. Before pointing the finger or apportion blame towards others, I find myself acknowledging the fact that if society is to change, then that change has to begin in me.

If my behavior is rooted in my beliefs, then maybe there are still areas of my thought life that need some re-alignment to God’s way of thinking.

If this is as a ‘Rosa Parks Moment’[1] - a pivotal point in human relations, then I need to ask myself some pressing questions, like:

• Am I prejudicial in my thinking?

• Do I wrongly judge people based on their difference?

• Am I overly conscious of a person’s race or religion?

• Do I generalize, categorize or even ostracize some people groups?

• In essence am I like my six-year-old son, ‘colour blind’ – someone who looks beyond difference and diversity so as to treat everyone as a person equally loved and valued by God?

With others, I want to stand shoulder to shoulder with those looking for lasting change. I want to take progressive steps in a journey that Nelson Mandela called: ‘The Long Walk to Freedom’ and arrive at a place of true and lasting equality.

[1] Rosa Parks an American civil rights activist created a pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott. Rejecting the order to relinquish her seat in the “color section” to a white passenger after all the whites-only section was filled. As the first person to resist bus segregation Rosa Parks sparked a fire for change that still burns brightly today.