Having recently had a holiday in Switzerland, a country which was deemed ‘at risk’ by the UK when we arrived back, Claudia and I are now stuck at home for 14 days of quarantine, or self-isolation. This is something which many of us are now having to get used to.
For us, because we don’t have any symptoms or illness, it feels like a form of restraint, which we haven’t felt before, even during lockdown. And apart from emergencies and some necessities, we’re not allowed beyond the house/garden perimeter. Having said that, we feel blessed that we both have work we can do from home, and have a garden which is big enough to be able to walk round and exercise.
This is far more than others have, who do not have such space, or who can’t work from home, or who have lost their jobs or income. Such losses and limitations have all sorts of consequences, not least to our mental health.
Today, there is a lot of talk about mental and emotional well-being. But spiritual well-being is very closely linked, and often difficult to detach from mental or emotional wellbeing. We are, after all, whole beings. And if our toe hurts or we have toothache, it affects us in every way, not just physically. And likewise, being weighed down mentally or emotionally completely affects our wholeness and wellbeing.
Jesus’ answer to questions about anxiety was to tell us to ‘consider the lilies of the field’ (Matthew 6:28). He says, ‘they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.’
As we navigate these difficult days, let us return to the resource, that has promised to give us the most important help of all. Let us return to God. He fully understands us, and deeply loves us, and treats us as whole beings.
By allowing ourselves the time to consider the intricacy and beauty of the things around us, in nature: a flower, a leaf, things we probably take for granted most of the time, Jesus says, will give us joy, and increase our faith. Even though they are temporary and seasonal, they show us there is something more than just this world, and will launch a search for God. Our Creator. And if pursued, we will come to know his love for us, and his priorities for our lives. This path alone brings perspective to the trials we face.
We may well be weighed down by many things at this time, about ourselves, our well-being, our jobs, our income, our health. But Jesus says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Much blessings
Robert