The last eighteen months of this Covid-19 pandemic have been very difficult and strange for us all. We have experienced several lockdowns, had to navigate social distancing, mask wearing and signing in wherever we go, have had one Chaplaincy conference cancelled and experienced a gradual diet of Church online. In my lifetime I have seen nothing like it. During times such as this there are always many voices coming to us from a variety of sources. The internet and social media are saturated with theories and advice as to how we should respond and what we should believe; some of this advice being reasoned, measured, based on creditable research and helpful and some of it very unhelpful. It is so easy to get caught up in the noise around us, to take sides and become focussed on issues that divide rather than things that bring life.
The New Testament was written to a church experiencing similar confusion and difficulty. Persecution was on the increase. Many were now being imprisoned and even killed for their faith. The new church itself was struggling with internal issues concerning whether or not a Christian should obey the Jewish law and be circumcised. The “social media” of the time (word of mouth and the occasional sermon) was loudly proclaiming which side was right or wrong. In the midst of all this it was becoming easy for the church to focus on these things and forget what it was there for in the first place. Not a lot has changed in 2000 years!
What does the Bible have to say to a church in confusion and struggling with division and conflicting voices? Paul gives the church two main instructions in Colossians 4:
1. Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful”. Basically, he was saying to the church, “keep your focus clear!” Love God. Put Him first in all things. Lift up your eyes in prayer continually and keep your mind on the things that are important to God rather than the smaller issues of the day. Jesus said the same thing in Mark 12:28-33. Those in opposition to Him were questioning Him on a variety of very minor issues. They were more interested in proclaiming their own perspective on life than they were in seeking the truth and helping others to find life. One of them then asked Him about the ten commandments. “Which is the most important?” he asked. Jesus’ reply made it very clear what God’s priorities are to be for our lives. “The most important one”, answered Jesus, “is this; Hear Oh Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Jesus knew that our first priority in life is not the current arguments about vaccines, viruses and government responses, or even Old Testament laws or godless political regimes of the time. Our first priority in life is to love God; to put Him first in everything.
2. Colossians 4:5-6 “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” The second priority, Paul is saying, are the people around us. People matter more than our opinions or our theories. In today’s world there will be amazing opportunities for us as chaplains to share God’s love and heart for people struggling with the issues of life. As we see people struggling, make the most of every opportunity. Speak words of love and life and grace. Show compassion and kindness everywhere you go. Jesus supported this in Mark 12:31 “The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself”. People matter. Love them and be the presence of Christ around them. Show them how much God loves them and cares for them. Fill their hearts with hope for the future.
Love God first and love your neighbour second. These are our priorities in life. Everything else must take second place. No matter what we believe about various issues, we need to keep these two priorities uppermost in all we are and do. There will be opportunities all around us every day. Let’s lift up our eyes to see every opportunity to share God’s love and live out His presence. This is what our world needs right now, and as chaplains we are well equipped to give it!
