Pastor’s Pen July 3

Thriving during this prolonged pandemic: 

Jesus was a great storyteller. He told many stories about the Kingdom of God, but He also shared stories with His friends, about Himself and His struggles. When the people of His hometown, Nazareth, didn’t believe in His teaching, He shared with His disciples, “Only in His hometown, among His relatives and in His own house is a prophet without honour,” Mark 6:4.

This pandemic has taken its toll on most of us. The percentage of people struggling with anxiety, depression and need for support has reached unprecedented levels in NZ. As a church family we need to feel free to keep things real. So, if you are struggling, don’t come to church wearing a mask. Share your story with someone. The old saying “A problem shared is a problem halved” is true. When we bottle things up and pretend things are OK when they’re not, we get sick. So, sit with someone that you trust and share your story.

Jesus also listened to, and helped, the apostles in their struggles. When too many people were gathering around the apostles in search of healing and they didn’t even get a chance to eat, Jesus said to His friends, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest,” Mark 6:31.

Are you willing to sit with, and listen to, other people in our congregation who may be doing it hard? Being able to listen to other people’s stories, with compassion and in confidence, is what Christ calls us to do. He witnessed it to us in the Gospels. So, let’s be storytellers and story-listeners, and help each other thrive during a difficult pandemic environment.