Mask
This week our government announced that as from Friday 24 July everyone must wear a face mask in shops and supermarkets in England! Just another development in our ‘new normal’. My wife has made a mask and we are buying some more from a local entrepreneur whose sales have gone through the roof!
This is not new for many key workers who have been wearing masks as well as full PPE for months. This minor inconvenience for shoppers could save lives, so my view is ‘mask up and carry on’!
Believe it or not, the Bible mentions masks (or veils). In the New Testament, Paul, one of the early church founders, wrote about a veil that was a barrier between people and God...
“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Paul says that when we turn to God then any barrier is removed. That turning is called repentance, and it comes with benefits...
Turning to God brings freedom: from anything and everything in the past. Sound good? There are some things in my life that I look back on that I am not proud about. But I am free from the effects of them today.
As we begin this journey with God, He starts a work of transformation. The wonderful thing about being a Christian is that it is not about obeying rules, rather it’s a living relationship with Almighty God! As we share life with Him, God the Holy Spirit changes us to be more like Himself.
This is profound, fascinating and beautiful. God is in the business of removing barriers and veils, freeing people from the past and ushering in a glorious transformed new life!
Also, why not check out our live stream service every Sunday at 10:30am, simply go to www.hopebasingstoke.org/livestream
Stay safe
God bless
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader