So we’re two months into the pandemic and national lockdown for our nation, where COVI-19 has caused separation, isolation, sickness and for some, the loss of friend’s, colleagues or loved ones. In its trail, it has caused panic stockpiling of food, all kinds of conspiracy theories, a fear of the unknown and awkwardness towards others opposed to how we once moved, shopped and gathered in crowds without a second thought for our health.
But it’s equally important to point out some of the good things that has surfaced in the wake of this pandemic:
That inherent in us is all is a good and altruistic nature
Everyone’s doing their part to stop the spread of the virus by staying home, which is very hard to do, particularly if you’re closed in the four walls of a small flat with young children pestering you to go out and it’s hard for them to understand that there is a curfew in place that supersedes their parent’s decision on whether or not to take them out. Thank God it has been eased a bit. Also, it was very good to see the nation coming together to help one another and look out for elderly and vulnerable neighbours, do food runs and make contributions towards the welfare of those who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. It was also lovely to see restaurants using their kitchens to cook and feed NHS staff, while others made Personal Protective Equipment for NHS staff and Caregivers. We’ve seen many people employ creative ways to raise money for the NHS, including a 100 year old WW2 veteran, Captain Tom Moore, who raised over £32M for the NHS, by walking the length of his garden 100 times before his 100th birthday on 30th April. How wonderful is that!
But you my say where is Hope on the Horizon for Me?
All of the above points to the hand of hope on the horizon that we need to rebuild our lives, the nation and the future together. Although we don’t know what the future will be like post lockdown, but I think it’s important to look with hope and not despair. The unknown may be a challenge right now, as our generation has never experienced a pandemic before, but it also presents a lot of opportunities with it and it’s best to focus and build on what we can control.
We have now discovered that some of us can work from home and a lot of small firms may decided to ditch their overheads that comes with having an office premises to working from home and having online meetings and then renting a space to meet in person when required, which will save on rent and utilities.
Some who have been furloughed, may have discovered new business opportunities online. I’ve heard of someone who’s got into the business of producing face masks following lockdown.
Creative gifts can be honed and flourish in lockdown
In Genesis 37, Joseph the son of Jacob and one of the 12 Patriarchs, ended up being locked out of his own home and land when his brothers sold him to the Ishmaelite’s for 20 shekels, who sold him on to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, all because of his dream and the fact that he was loved very much by his father. As if things couldn’t get any worse, Joseph was later tempted and lied on by Potiphar’s wife, who had an eye on him and he was subsequently imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Joseph could have thrown his hands in the air and given up, but he saw his lockdown as an opportunity to interpreter the dreams of his inmates, the butler and the baker, both of which later came true. When an opportunity arose in the palace to interpret the dream of Pharaoh, Joseph was remembered and was able to accurately interpreter Pharaoh’s dream, which led to his promotion to a very high position in the king’s palace. The account runs over several chapters to the end of Genesis.
We see in this story that creative gifts can be enhanced and perfected during lockdown, ironically, Joseph needed people to help him hone his skills and his brothers were not the perfect candidates, as they did not like him, but God provided him with an opportunity that came disguised in, what looked like, a big injustice. Joseph had two choices; to cave in, gather a pity party in prison and lament no end about the selfish nature of his brothers, or he could use his time to discover new horizons buried or blurred in plain sight.
Perhaps there are opportunities on your horizon view that needs to be unwrapped from its brown paper and is waiting for you to find it, dust it off and wrap it up in Gold!
Joanne Sojinu, Author
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