August | 2021 | Life as it happens to be

Do you ever feel like you don’t have much to give or contribute? Maybe those around you are more talented, or seem to have a deeper and richer experience of life as a human being. And maybe you’re left feeling inadequate or empty.

This morning my online church service was on 1 Corinthians 12: 12 – 31 regarding those who are ‘in Christ’ by the Spirit of God. That is to say, those who are members of His spiritual body, the ‘church’ which is made up not of a building but of people who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This might sound a little strange if you’re not a Christian, however, the point was that Christians are all members of the Body of Christ, with Christ as the spiritual head. The body has many members and each part needs each other, and each part has different gifts. So that while others may be more obviously gifted, all parts are necessary and valuable as part of the whole.

In life more generally too we can sometimes feel like we’re not sure of our gifts or purpose and can be left feeling deflated.

If I’m to be honest with myself and others I have struggled with this during lockdown and the pandemic as well as at other times in life. At the start of lockdown I was on my own in March 2020 and I was being productive and was outwardly focussed and writing a lot to encourage other people. I did pieces of work to help with Covid issues in my workplace and did a bit of volunteering. I tried to encourage other people and kept myself busy and occupied.

However, more lately, I have spent my time mainly in relation to my immediate family which I am thankful for, and computer screens. I’ve felt inadequate in terms of not being able to ‘feel’ as much in terms of emotions and love and being single have realised that my life in some ways is a bit ‘flat’ and wondering whether I have the capacity I once had to love, which it doesn’t feel like it right now. At times things have felt a bit empty, other than the Grace of God that carries me through the challenges, and I’ve lost interest in my hobbies. I’ve not really been anywhere much and have perhaps got a bit ‘stuck’.

I’m sure I’m not the only one. However, regardless of how we feel – or don’t feel – we are valuable and have gifts to offer. We can start by gratitude and taking the time to appreciate them today. What small thing can you do today to reach out to someone else or what small thing can you do to appreciate what you have?

It’s been a while, friends, I know. It’s been a while. I’d written so much that perhaps some of you haven’t noticed that I haven’t posted for a while, since my ‘self care in a pandemic’ series has 84 posts.

I’ve been working from home, as have many other people, and I haven’t been out much at all. All around me it seems friends and people are doing different things, moving on with their lives, some people I’ve heard of are getting engaged, married, some people have had babies in lockdown. And at the same time, others are in similar situations staying at home and very gradually getting used to changes in society. In the UK, most things have opened up now, yet the awareness is there that the pandemic is far from over. Society has changed. Some people are raring to go and get back out there, others are nervous.

How have things been with you? Have you felt challenged in some ways, are you thriving? Have you lost touch with people? Do you feel numb, emotionless, stuck or are you overwhelmed by emotions? Are you doing well?

These are strange days. Let us think of what we can be thankful for today. Today I am thankful that I am alive. That I even have this computer to write on and a Word Press community to write to. I have health, I have family, and I have a job, and although I haven’t seen friends for over a year and a half I still have some connections with some people online. I have food, shelter, a bed to sleep in, and a Saviour, Jesus Christ, Who Is by my side through every challenge to my faith. We have today. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the life that we do have. x