It’s a funny time this, isn’t it? Some months ago I was excited about finding and defining a ‘new normal’; nowadays I’m craving the old one.
I guess we all are. I mean there was such freedom, pre-pandemic: you could get on a bus and still breathe without a mask on. You could just walk straight into a restaurant and ask for a table, or book a party of twelve where you’d sit so close that your elbows bashed. You could greet a friend of a friend with a super cool handshake outside the cinema, and not think twice about a two-armed hug for the friend who’d brought them. If you wanted to, you could even sing, way beyond 10 o’clock, while happiness filled your post-pub-party - and the most you’d get for your happy vocals would be a disapproving look from passing strangers and a cackle from your mates.
There was no fear of being in a group of seven, no lingering thought that the last person you high-fived might have accidentally endangered your grandparents. Family came first, and you could all plan the togetherest Christmas ever, without calculating the precise logistics of what needed to be where with whom by when. There were massive weddings, barn dances and discos. There were beautiful funerals and joyous Christenings. You danced with whomever you liked, you were comforted by whomever liked you, and it was all wonderfully free of worry and fear. We were free.
I felt it again today, that wave of fear and worry. Scientists at ICL say it’s possible that 100,000 people a day are newly infected in the UK. If that’s true, this dreadful virus will get close to impossible to avoid, and there will be no room for complacency at all. Lockdowns and circuit breakers, self isolations and quarantines will be the new normal.
We’re not in a second lockdown here; not yet, but if the acceleration of cases continues it’s hard to see how it’ll be avoided! Regions around us are going into Tier 2, soon Tier 3 will follow. It’s more a case of when.
And that has made me think. Am I already being too sociable? How do we find the balance between the old normal (which we need) and the new normal (which we must find)?
There’s another tricky balance for us believers too: wisdom versus faith. To what degree do we believe that God wants us to meet together? To what extent does He trust us to look after each other by staying at home? I can’t be the only one who feels bad either way! As much as churches put rules and policies into action (and ours have done a good job of that), the truth is that it is still scientifically dangerous to be in a room with that many people. Will God honour the faithful by surrounding our buildings with protecting angels? Or is it just madness? And if you feel judged either way (as either completely reckless or insanely spiritual I suppose), how do you deal with that?
I think it might be wise if I can limit some social interactions. This wasn’t the new normal I was excited about, but at least it’s a step. Perhaps if I can spread them out, more than 48 hours apart, maybe more days than that, I can avoid the worry of cross-contamination? It is unnaturally difficult, like resisting a hug from someone you absolutely adore, or remembering to wipe your phone before you put it down on someone’s sofa-arm. But it isn’t impossible, I hope.
And then, on top of wisdom, there’s the faith bit: perhaps not either-or but both-and. Speaking out truth over yourself, prophesying Psalm 91 or 2 Chronicles 7, exalting and praising and celebrating and interceding every day, believing in honour and faithfulness and healing and hope. And not judging other people’s behaviour.
I don’t think there was only one new normal to find; I think there are several. This portion of history is changing fast, and it’s carrying us along with it. I suppose that I, like all of us, have to learn how to change with it, to find the best way through tomorrow, and leave yesterday behind. It isn’t an easy balance. But that’s this season for you. We should try to hold it together.
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