Consider it joy

It’s been a big week in Australia, with our Government taking some significant steps to slow the spread of COVID-19. But we know that God is still in control, and we will continue to be His church through this season.

We are being encouraged to meet in smaller groups. If you are watching the other countries that are ahead of us on the curve you can see that the current size for an allowed gathering – 100 people – will only get lower before it goes back up.

This means our Home Groups are going to be very important; we may even see the start of a couple of new ones. As important as they always are, our Home Groups now have even more important role in keeping us connected. However we do not want you to do what you are not comfortable doing; we want you to be safe in all regards. But even when a Home Group doesn’t meet together in person, the prayer and emotional support, and the practical care you can provide to one another through your group, is always available.

We are looking forward to what God is going to do through our fellowship over the next few months, and know that He will teach us new ways of being “the church”, of loving our neighbours, and of being Jesus to those in need. May we allow God to shape us more and more into the image of Christ through this trial.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Dony and Brendan