It has been more than a month now since we started taking care to keep our distance in social situations. Belgium went into ‘lockdown-lite’ on March 12, but we were already looking and planning how we would meet digitally that coming Sunday. Now we are old hands at meeting together and have become a place where others in the country can also meet. We have members joining us from around Belgium and even from Prague.
But corona (the crown) has definitely changed our work. When the borders closed, it severely hampered our ability to help our members in Maastricht (since we live in Belgium, just across the border) and meant that all of our planned activities in the Netherlands had to be cancelled. Of course most activities - including a concert at the end of May with Harding University and three other choral groups - were cancelled anyway because of the government rules.
So, instead of meeting with people in the Netherlands, we have been spending more time encouraging members via internet and telephone. I have never been a big fan of phone calls - I tend to like email better - but we have several people who are non-digital, so telephone is the only way to really reach them. It is amazing to see (or hear) how much a voice can mean to people. Especially as this time of self-isolation grinds on.
It strikes me that Jesus suffered for us - accepting the mocking robe and crown of thorns before dying on the cross. Peter says that we should follow his example (1 Peter 2:21). And Paul tells Timothy that we will receive a crown from the Lord if we are faithful (2 Timothy 4:8). But he also mentions that we will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). These are persecutions and suffering in connection with following Jesus. So in times of this crown that may feel at times to be so thorny, I am reminded that this is not really that hard. And we can endure, knowing that we have a future that is certain and confirmed.
And since we have plenty of time on our hands, we are using other ways to reach out. I am writing some articles for a site that is being developed by two young evangelists in Eindhoven. The site is focused on those seeking God and presents answers to all sorts of questions. And we continue some of our Bible studies, but then digitally, of course.
For the church I have been working on getting more songs available for all members in various forms. There is a new app for the phone developed with a brother in Haarlem. I have added lyric video’s to the song website for the Dutch churches (geestelijkeliederen.nl) and we are working on putting more songs together with a virtual choir. Not a video choir, but one where we can all sing together and present the songs again to the churches for use.
We are waiting, somewhat impatiently, to hear from the government this week if activities in the summer will be allowed to continue or not. This will impact our summer Bible camp. We pray that all will be allowed to go forward, but if it is not allowed, then we will start figuring out how to do things digitally. Nothing can stop the word of God and God has made us creative and given us all sorts of tools. We pray that we ill be able to use them well.
Above all, we have been so very thankful for brothers and sisters who have clearly shown how important it is to join together and encourage one another. Some might have thought that members would slack off, since no one could really see if they were not attending or not. But we are seeing people wanting to gather even more - and using every opportunity to get together. It is exciting to see this spirit.
How has God been blessing you in your faith during these times of thorny questions and blessings for the future?
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8
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