Dealing with the reality of COVID-19 has been a process of sudden stop, adaptation and continual evolving. We’ve not been able to settle into one thing and then get on with it. There is still no “new normal”.
Susann Haehnel, vocational recruitment manager at Church Mission Society, reflects on change and opportunities to explore our calling in mission.
I was challenged recently about the inclination to hold onto an overly nostalgic view of the past "normal", rather than remembering the ongoing challenges, injustices and inequalities that were, and still are. As COVID-19 forces us to in many ways stop and change, it is a good opportunity to re-evaluate what we are doing and where we are going.
I was drawn to Luke 4:18-19 where Jesus articulates what could, should and will be:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and he has anointed me to be hope for the poor, freedom for the brokenhearted, and new eyes for the blind, and to preach to prisoners, ‘You are set free!’ I have come to share the message of Jubilee, for the time of God’s great acceptance has begun.” (The Passion Translation)
For us as Christians, Jesus needs to be the starting point for lasting change. I love how Luke 4:21 is interpreted in The Message: “This is God’s year to act!” This is God’s time to work and we’re invited to be a part of that. We are co-labourers with Christ. I am so reassured by the fact that God hasn’t changed through the pandemic. This is an invitation to be part of the change, to see ourselves as change agents, as co-labourers with Christ. What’s your part in it? This process of recognising the need for change and accepting the invitation to be part of it will lead to hearing and articulating a personal call. The call to be part of God’s mission in our own unique ways.
So how do we respond to this current season?
It’s a time of preparation. Releasing people in mission, especially overseas mission, takes preparation. Preparing our hearts in prayer, un-learning and re-learning, gathering people around us to journey with us and having our attitudes examined.
It’s a time for experimentation. Explore options locally and digitally. This crisis does offer new opportunities to connect with other people in mission, offers space to explore things from the comfort of your own home, to try things out in our own contexts (government regulations permitting, of course). I recently heard of one of our gap year alumni who started an online Bible study group for her friends exploring faith. She said her friends would never have come to church or even CU, but wanted to find out about Jesus and the Bible.
It’s a time for us to get on our knees and sit at the feet of Jesus. Pray, pray, pray and then pray some more. Listen to what the Spirit is saying. Listen to the prophets who will start to help us imagine a different future.
It’s time to discern where doors are opening up. This season calls for innovative ways of doing things, living missionally and sharing Jesus with others. It’s time for us to push on new doors. God’s call on our lives hasn’t changed. We need to continue to discern God’s call in the world and in our lives. How we engage in mission requires fresh ideas. That’s what makes it an adventure, following Jesus.
Adapted from an article by Susann Haehnel at Church Mission Society
If you feel a nudge to explore your sense of calling, you may want to view further resources from Church Mission Society or contact another agency in MAP Midlands.
Comments