I lost my sight once.

I couldn’t see anything. This highly valued sense which had helped guide me through many adventures had temporarily left me.

In a similar way churches have recently lost some abilities which we greatly value. The inability to meet together is gradually easing but now we are facing restrictions on singing following concerns that covid 19 could be spread from expressive and tuneful vocal chords.

But my sight loss was temporary, lasting only an hour, and the restrictions the church is facing will pass. My inability to see was thankfully not caused by a medical condition but was the result of a visit to what is known as a ‘dark room experience’ – a tourist attraction which places people in a darkened environment. It was a very disconcerting and so dark that I couldn’t even see the hand I was waving in front of my face.

But I learn’t two things which I believe could be help churches and leaders navigating the temporary loss of things we love at this time.

1. Losses can result in gains

In the darkroom experience, I had to navigate my way around the unfamiliar surroundings using other senses – mainly touch and sound. An unfamiliar voice in the distance proved to be my guide and the stick I had been allocated helped alert my senses to hazards ahead. I also had the opportunity to smell and taste food in this place (yes there was a darkroom restaurant) and throughout this 60 minute experience I noticed my other senses were becoming more finely tuned.

I guess I could have stood in the middle of the experience and shouted ‘turn the lights on – I want to see!’ but to do so would have missed out on an opportunity to attune my other senses. Rather than grieve or even protest about the things we’ve lost in our churches at this time I believe it could be helpful to explore other ways we can develop in their absence.

I lead a growing, vibrant church and we love meeting and singing. We are demonstrative – we do big smiles and hugs and we do exuberant singing – big time! The sound is often loud and passion-filled and we love it. Singing is a wonderfully uniting and biblical expression of our love for the Lord but it’s only an expression and means nothing if it’s not coming from a heart aligned to God. Jesus didn’t say ‘if you love me sing the latest worship song’. He said ‘if you love me keep my commandments’. Singing is easier than obedience so maybe this is a time to focus on strengthening our obedience ‘muscle’. 

As part of this obedience we are called to ‘go into all the world and make disciples’ but maybe we’ve preferred singing our songs and staying in our comfort zones. Losing singing may be a big deal but why don’t we take this opportunity to sharpen our focus and activities on the main things. Let’s make the most of this loss and strengthen some areas we’ve become weak.

2. Losses create gratitude

When I exited the darkroom experience I was so glad to be reunited with my sight. But I immediately thought of a number of friends who are blind. After experiencing something of their world for an hour I was so inspired by their lives. I felt humbled by what I knew of their adventurous spirit that made the most of their lives despite their impairment. 

I also feel inspired by the persecuted church around the world. Now I don’t really believe our current restrictions in the UK are a result of persecution but are instead a generous response by the church to forgo some preferences for the greater good and wellbeing of society. But there are members of God’s church around the world who are facing genuine persecution for their faith. They are rejected, imprisoned and killed for following Jesus.

A friend once told me they believed western Christians needed to really understand and empathise with those of our family around the world who are facing persecution for their faith and if we didn’t then our faith would be shallow. Maybe this is an opportunity for us to avoid westernised, consumeristic, shallow Christianity and emerge as a strong, courageous people who know what it is to grow even in difficult times.

I’m praying that each of us will have deepened our walk with the Lord so significantly during this time that when we are able to gather together without social distancing and are able to sing, that it won’t be the novelty of doing so that creates our joy – that novelty will quickly fade.  No but I pray we will be so captivated by Jesus that His joy will consume us – whether we are able to sing or not.