You can learn a lot about yourself by thinking about your priorities in life. Ask yourself some questions. What counts with you, what matters most to you? What would you choose to take with you if you were going to be stranded on Radio 4's desert island? How do you choose to spend your free time or any spare money? Our priorities may not lie in material things but perhaps in the joy of family life, or a hobby, or a good book or the pursuit of happiness, peace or satisfaction, however we think they may be found...

As we take our first tentative steps in coming out of lockdown, I've been reflecting on the priorities set by the Government for beginning the process of, as the Prime Minister put it, getting the engines going again. I was struck by how little was said regarding the reopening of 'places of worship'. These have been placed in the same category as pubs and restaurants, or entertainment venues like theatres and cinemas, and so we have to wait until July at the earliest before we can reopen our building for services. Happily, the internet is providing the means for the ministry of God's Word and for churches still to 'meet'. (I ought to add that according to the Bible a church is not a building, rather it is the people of God. Church buildings are not 'sacred spaces' but simply the buildings those people use to meet in). It is possible for us 'get together' using online means and for it to be spiritually meaningful. Having said that, online ministry is a temporary replacement but no substitute for meeting together in person to worship God and to hear from His Word.

Coming back to the priorities of life, it is a sad fact that the significance of a Christian church not being able to meet is lost on so many. It reflects badly on a society when the worship of God is relegated to the bottom of the priority list, somewhere below shopping for ornaments and sunbathing. If ever there is a time for us to wake up and to take stock of what our priorities have been and what they ought to be then surely this is it. Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble (Proverbs 28:14). Perhaps the online ministry may stir up some (many?) to come along when the doors of our building reopen desiring to find out for themselves what God says our priorities should be!

As Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33).