Lockdown consolation

As lockdown bites again, I am surprised to find myself struggling. Surprised because in theory, lockdown is not hard for me. I am an employed home-owner who is an introvert – what’s not to like? 

This time, though, it feels as though the foundations are shaking. And, despite quite enjoying isolation personally, no person is an island, and the more people we know and love, the more impact the whole COVID-19 phenomenon has on us. Two of my kids have lost their jobs. The economic and social fallout terrifies me, even in this comparatively sheltered society: lengthening unemployment queues, escalating family violence, the deteriorating mental health of so many of our young people. It’s overwhelming. And that doesn’t touch on Black Lives Matter, refugees, or our devastated environment. Like so many people of goodwill, I am exhausted.

And back I go to the words and practices that have sustained me before, in my darkest times.

Two examples of sustaining words, from the many I could have chosen. From the Hebrew Scriptures, Isaiah chapter 40: ‘Those who wait for God will renew their strength… they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.’

And from the Gospel of Matthew in the Christian Scriptures, a quote from Jesus: ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you… and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

I have always imagined, in this latter passage, that Jesus is the driver of us - the oxen - in their ‘easy’ yokes, guiding and prodding and encouraging. Recently I heard a fresh interpretation; maybe Jesus is with us in the double-yoke, the companion pulling by our sides.

The Incarnation is central to the Christian faith – the belief that somehow, mysteriously, God became completely human, suffered and died. That when our hearts break, God is not far removed, but alongside, sharing our pain.

When life seems impossible, we are given strength we didn’t know we had. This is my lived experience, and the experience of others who have had rougher roads than mine to travel. For me, strength comes through regular worship, through engaging deeply with other people of faith, and through the daily practice of contemplative prayer. 

It also comes powerfully from dwelling upon the ancient words of strength and comfort in the Bible that have consoled and energised believers for centuries.

This was published in The Melbourne Age on 19 July

Comments

[Alison Forrester]

Hello Clare, do you know this translation of the Matthew passage? I love it

Matthew 11:28-30 The Message (MSG)
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”