New Chapter In My Great Book Of Life

Well, here we are. We find ourselves sitting on the benches in an arena as spectators to a fight between world leaders and this most unwelcome virus. Caught in the crossfire are healthcare workers and supermarket staff who are working hard to serve us.

In this time I have oscillated between sanity and insanity, boredom and amusement, happiness and deep sorrow. I have laughed and I have lamented. I have blessed and I have cursed.

I have celebrated the sanctity of life and I have grumbled at the futility of it. I have been hopeful and pessimistic, excited and cynical, afraid and brave.

As we watch the world scramble to bring order to where there is none, a new chapter is being written for the Church, for the world—and for me.

The Church is no stranger to crisis. In its history it has continued its mission in spite of plagues and wars.

But for many of us, especially us millennials, having faith in a time of uncertainty is proving to be a real test or purification as some would see it. On Easter Sunday, we proclaim that Christ is risen and that Christ will return.

And sure enough, in the presence of the Eucharist and with the intercession of the saints, one confidently proclaims it.

But now, not only must we grow in greater faith in the Resurrection, but also more creative effort must be put into sharing this message with others.

Despite my many doubts, I am certain that God has allowed this time for the seekers to seek, for the inquirer to question, and for the believer to overcome his unbelief.

The world, too, must write a new chapter for itself. It must write a story of dreams once crushed and now possible, of famine leading to feasting, and of idleness to labour.

Never has there been a greater opportunity for each nation to reimagine its economy, and in so doing to strive to bring prosperity to its citizens. New chapters in employment?

Having lost my job at the end of March, I understand the plight of people around the world who are desperate to return to work and earn a living again. There is something so frustrating about being unemployed. It brings about moments of self-doubt and incessant questioning of self-worth, and myriad other insecurities.

As employers transition to a digital workspace, it is my hope that all those who have great potential may be able to realise it in this new chapter.

I’m certain that no one can go through this and remain unchanged. I have changed—whether for the better or worse, time will reveal.

Though, I am embarrassed to admit, I have developed an increased fondness for the fridge and its contents.

This has made some of my clothes rather unfriendly and judgmental. In more positive news, I have begun the ascent to the summit of a spiritual mountain. Up until the current chaos unfolded upon all our lives, I had felt in many ways that I was on a spiritual plateau.

Seeing my need for humility, the Lord has brought to my attention the steep and rock-filled climb that lies ahead of me. It is an ascent that is bound to last a lifetime. In the midst of praying and not praying, of eating and overeating, I have also wondered what the world of dating will look like.

I once cringed at the thought of dating apps, but now I see that there are fewer alternatives. How will I meet new people in the future?

How will couples interact in public?

One can only imagine the new means of courtship that will emerge from the pandemic:

Future Man: “I dare say, that is a very groovy bottle of hand sanitiser you have there.”

Future Woman: “Oh thank you, it came with this groovy mask.”

How very romantic indeed. To one another, may we give love, and wait for guidance from above.