A BBC news correspondent was interviewed this morning, live on air, while having his hair cut for the first time since lockdown. Being the fourth of July, he called it 'trimdependence day'. I smiled. A lot is being made of today, marking the start of the biggest set of changes so far to relax the lockdown measures. There seems to be both a collective sigh of relief and a sharp intake of breath at the same time, a sort of national circular breathing like bagpipe players have to master - in and out at the same time. We are relieved and concerned at the same time. It is a sign of the progress that has been made in getting on top of the pandemic and yet, as we see elsewhere, it can so easily flare up again. We want to get back on with life, we don't want our regained liberties to lead to the virus spreading afresh. It is hard to live with uncertainty, especially if we have to wait to see what happens and, as well, when it depends on so many doing the right thing. Sometimes there is even uncertainty about what 'the right thing' is. The debate over the use, or not, of face coverings, for instance. We struggle with uncertainty.

In 1789, Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, famously wrote in a letter, 'Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.' The author of Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe, wrote in 1726, 'Things as certain as death and taxes, can be more firmly believ’d.' We may wryly smile at the observation about taxes, but we certainly can't smile at the certainty of death, especially at a time like this. It is certain. But can we find certainty for what will happen after death? Yes, we can. Jesus says to those who are his followers, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:1-3). Jesus Christ's message to all people is to repent of sin - which is, ultimately, the reason why death is certain - and to trust in him to receive forgiveness - and life after death, everlasting life, with Him in a gloriously recreated universe. The alternative? To die unrepentant, unsaved and to face the everlasting judgement of God. As Daniel Defoe put it, these things are certain and 'can be more firmly believ’d'.

Soon, we shall be reopening our building for services and meetings. We warmly invite all, whether already a Christian or not, to come and join with us to hear the certain and good news of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.