Venturing Out

Now that quite a few of the lockdown restrictions are being eased, so that we can take unlimited time outdoors, shops are opening, we may visit one another’s gardens and there are more opportunities to travel, what do we do?

People have felt tempted to celebrate in large numbers, go to the beach and then find themselves mingling with crowds but we are still reminded to take care. (The situation in Leicester shows us that the virus has not gone away). Some of us can’t wait to get out and about but others of us feel very cautious. Should we wear a face mask, how often do we sanitise our hands, how do we avoid touching our faces?

I started this blog in the UK but now I am in Holland looking after my elderly Mum who is pretty poorly. Doug and I have driven all the way through the Channel Tunnel to Haarlem, and find ourselves experiencing easing of lockdown here in the Netherlands! The restriction here is 1.5 metres, hairdressers are open and the doctors and carers no longer wear PPE. Daily life still feels pretty precarious here and there are hardly any planes flying out of Schiphol, usually a very busy European hub, but the roads are very busy.   

 

When Jesus sends his disciples out, they probably felt pretty fearful but we read in Mathew 10.10 that Jesus reassures them telling them ‘take no bag for the journey’, not to rely on physical things, sound advice to us today, not to have too much with us when we go out. Jesus also sends them out like ‘sheep’, relying on the shepherd; giving us confidence still today that when we do go out we know that we have God with us as our shepherd.

I wouldn’t recommend venturing beyond the UK just yet, we had to fill in forms and have a doctor’s note to travel, but as we do go out, whether with utter excitement or with some trepidation, be assured of God’s presence with this Celtic blessing:

       

The Path

God bless the path on which you go
God bless the earth beneath your feet
God bless your destination.
God be a smooth way before you
A guiding star above you
A keen eye behind you
This day, this night, and forever.

God be with you whatever you pass
Jesus be with you whatever you climb
Spirit be with you wherever you stay.
God be with you at each stop and each sea
At each lying down and each rising up
In the trough of the waves, on the crest of 
 the billows.
Each step of the journey you take.