In the first of a series of articles, our Coaching team take a look at the questions we might find helpful as we explore what God might be saying to us in this season, as we re-engage in different ways after lockdown.

So here we are, approaching something that we would like to call ‘normal’. Schools are back, shops are beginning to re-open and we can begin to meet friends with some level of freedom.

And yet if we stop long enough to allow ourselves to think; there can sometimes be a little hesitance. We know that God is in charge and the pandemic did not surprise him, yet it did us and often rocked us hard.

But just as in spring when we see the daffodil buds shooting out of the ground with the promise of warmer weather; we also have the opportunity to look for our own buds of hope and stop to reflect how the season of lockdown may have changed us, both positively and negatively. Like a field rested by a farmer, we have had God’s gift of being, instead of constantly doing.

Here are some powerful questions you can ask yourself. 

These are also great questions to ask a friend, neighbour or family members as we emerge from restrictions, reflecting on the past and looking to the future:

• What had you stopped doing during lockdown that you wanted to start again?
• What had you stopped doing that on reflection you are quite happy that you stopped?
• What had you started doing during lockdown that you wanted to stop & perhaps still want to stop?
• What have you started doing that you want to continue?

Make a note of your responses. Then ask yourself:

• For those things that you want to continue, what are you going to do in order to make the changes last?  (consider obstacles and opportunities here)
• How intentional and committed are you to those changes?
• What is God saying to you or where could he be leading you?

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