Topsy Turvy Times

I was reflecting this morning, (yes, while walking – in case you were wondering!), what a strange time we are living in right now. So many things have been turned on their head. In no particular order of priority or importance, these are the things I was thinking:

We have the glory of the dawn chorus instead of the roar of the rush hour traffic.

There is a smile and ‘good morning’ as walkers pass by each other rather than the angry toots at some slight on the road.

We have clean air instead of pollution.

Instead of parents telling children ‘you are grounded, stay at home’, (older) children are telling their (older) parents ‘you are grounded, stay at home’.

The queues inside the supermarkets have been replaced by queues outside the supermarkets.

The NHS has become a thing of national pride, rather than a football kicked around by politicians.

Next door neighbours who have never met are getting to know one another over the fence, and discovering a community in their neighbourhood they never knew they had.

I am smelling the fragrance of the bluebells as I walk by them, rather than seeing a blur of blue as I drive by.

Popstars who usually sing to thousands who have paid for the privilege, are singing to millions for free.

Being restricted to one exercise outing per day seems to have galvanised many into walking, running and cycling, and dogs are being run off their feet.

We are living in topsy turvy times, but that’s not a new phenomenon. Jesus introduced Gods Kingdom as a topsy turvy one, saying “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. (Matthew 5 v 3 -8 The Message).

So, embrace the topsy turvy times, it is just possible that our souls might catch up with our bodies!

Suzanne Owen

Centre Chaplain

This message was added on Monday 20th April 2020