As we approach the anniversary of national lockdowns, we look back to where we were exactly a year ago; so naive of the days to come that would test us all in so many ways. Maybe you feel you have changed remarkably as a person, maybe its just the at home haircut that differs from your early 2020 self. Though many people would place themselves in the former category in fact a recent survey of 2,000 British adults reveals that 43% of people feel they’ve “changed their ways for the better” during lockdown. Additionally a new survey carried out in late April found a third of young adults aged between 18 and 34 listening to an online religious service, one in five having never been to church before. I may not be in that age range but I personally identify with this group. In the midst of a time that seemed to be governed by fear and confusion, I found peace in my faith. Before lockdown I was barely a believer and now, coming to the end of lockdown 3.0 I would classify myself as a born again Christian. And this specific kind of transformation in lockdown was not unique; I am still in awe of how many people either found or grew their faith in God, in such a dark time.
And so, the conclusion that can be drawn from this is that the increased amount of time alone and global chaos, has both allowed more time for those who are already of faith and people to have a need for peace, in a tumultuous year like 2020.
One of these people was Eleanor Hetherington, a 14 year old who found time alone also meant more time to meditate on Scripture and so more time with God. She explained, "being at home has meant there's more free time, everyone's found that, like the time I'd spend on my commute to school(…) for me that's been a really encouraging time of being able to spend more time in the Word".
I also had the chance to pose the same thoughts to Temi, a girl my age who also felt lockdown allowed for her to draw nearer to God. She tells me “I was brought up in a Christian household but as I grew up I noticed how I was falling out of the faith”. She continues, elaborating on how lockdown changed that; “in lockdown I really talked to God and asked Him back into my life”.
One of th defining qualities of the Christian faith is charity and local church, St Michael's, has shown how not only does people's faith in Jesus Christ provide light in their individual darkness but encourages them to share it. St Michael's is one of the five centres that make up the Wandsworth foodbank where they not only provide food but warm drinks and a chance to chat to the volunteers there and be prayed for before they leave.
It is comforting to know that even in the lonely silence of being alone at home, people have heard their faith ring truer. The pain and grief caused by this period is profound, but so is the change and in this case spiritual growth that has come from it.
Sources:
Roshgadol JR May 23rd 2020 https://www.studyfinds.org/survey-2-in-5-adults-feel-theyve-changed-for-the-better-thanks-to-coronavirus-lockdown/
