It’s somewhat familiar, this peering into the darkness, this threat of losing my freedom, possessions and provisions. Forty years ago, in 1980 I, together with other students, spent much of my time trying to avoid being detained by the security police.
That same year I learned what true freedom is, when I became a Christian.
As I write this, I received a news update:
- that a 500 strong task force will begin enforcing Coronavirus isolation rules.
- Schools in our state will close from today for the Easter holidays – almost a week earlier.
Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, we began receiving news about services and activities that will be forced to close. From midday today, no restaurants, cinemas, or places of worship or sport will be open.
A week ago, our church service was modified to restrict handling of paper, refreshments or money. Yesterday we began online services. Now it’s law.
This wanting answers to questions is nothing new.
Twenty two years ago, when I first arrived in Australia, who would have thought that we would be living in a police state?
But yes, it has come to this. When the foundation of life is rocked, people do what had already started a few weeks ago, hoarding, fighting to get and to keep. And so it becomes necessary to enforce new laws.
In times like this, I am forced to deeply consider where my foundation lies. Is it in finances? Or a full fridge of food? Or my perceived physical freedom?
No, my foundation is in something and someone far more certain. It is in the Lord Jesus Himself, who is the Rock of my existence and who has seen me through tough times before.
And so I have to remind myself to keep building my life on the Rock!
