Chaplain

2020 has been a year of change, a year of uncertainty. It has been a year that many usual givens have come into question: the ability to go to school or the beach, the normal of travelling overseas, the ability to pop on a plane to visit grandma in Queensland, the celebrations of milestones.  

I was asked what God would say about COVID-19. The bible portrays disease and death as part of the fallen world and that God is working in the world to bring his final purposes to fruition that is life with no pain, no crying and no death. (Revelation 21: 4)

During a situation like this, Jesus would speak to any fear or anxiety. In his parting dialogue to his disciples in John’s gospel he says this “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Jesus offers a peace that brings calm in the storm and comfort in the face of distress. It is a peace wrought of knowing the presence of the loving Father through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is an unchanging peace as we know that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The world may be in flux but Jesus is the stable rock to hold onto. He is the one worth trusting.

This peace means we do not need to be troubled or afraid. We have the certainty that God is still working in the world. So any fears can be quelled and anxiety calmed as we pray and trust in God’s goodness and seek his purpose in the world and in our lives.

Ms Bronwyn Lihou
Senior Campus Chaplain
blihou@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9830

Ms Fiona McKenzie
Junior Campus Chaplain
fmckenzie@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9897