Difficult and unprecedented times like these raise many questions, and ‘Where is God in all of this?’ is one of the biggest.

We, on Prophets Corner may not have all the answers or be able to articulate them all but we do believe that God is in the midst of the times right now.

Teresa Lasky and her husband, Simon, have been influential, and influencers, and part of the Colchester Church Community for 30 years.

Here, Teresa writes and reflects on the times we live in today...

January 2020, I journalled this year would be one of fresh perspective.

Seeing things differently, perceiving ourselves, our community and our purpose in a new way.

This year alone we have seen wild fires, flooding, earthquakes and a pandemic. How are these challenges changing how we perceive ourselves and our community?

Whether you are a person of faith, no faith or not sure, most of us acknowledge the need for rest.

As a Christian, I believe God has embedded in creation a rhythm; as He himself has a rhythm of work and rest.

And for us, as created beings, this rhythm must be embraced if our planet and our lives are to be healthy.

Perhaps this is a time to consider the rhythm of our lives, reflect on what’s important and to recalibrate.

Our humanity is fragile.

One tiny virus can cause us to be incapacitated, despite our knowledge, wealth and sophistication. As we consider the personal cost to many in our community, it is a time, as we strive to love and serve one another, that we can also celebrate our shared humanity.

Despite social distancing we are all in this together.

During this time I’m reflecting on social distance in my life and within our society, between rich and poor, the privileged and those less fortunate and perhaps even distance between what we say we believe and how we live.

Perhaps this time is causing us to be more grateful to those that have faithfully served us in health, education, those who stack shelves, deliver our post, keep our country safe, police and politicians.

As a nurse I deeply love the NHS and over the past few years have been saddened by disgruntled social media posts about waiting times for treatment etc.

How wonderful that we are now articulating our respect and appreciation.

The events across the world and in our own nation demand from us not just fresh perceiving, understanding and unravelling of those filters which colour our world view but also a fresh humility to acknowledge our fragility, our need for each other and perhaps even a higher power beyond our previous consideration.

Bishop of Colchester, the Rt Rev Roger Morris adds: “ number of people have set aside 7pm each day to pause, to reflect and to pray - either alone or with others.

“It is a time to hold in our thoughts those who are suffering as well as those who are working to support and tend to the sick and the dying.

“Some people are also lighting candles and placing them in a window (safely) as a signal of their solidarity with those who are in their thoughts and prayers.”