How are you doing?
It feels like a very pertinent question for many of
us this year. The past 12 months have been a
year like no other in our recent history, with
Covid-19 dominating the headlines, but many
other things happening too. It makes this a very
good question to be asking at this moment…
‘how are you doing’?
We’re in Lent now. This is typically a time when
we ask this sort of question, it’s a period of
reflection, of self-examination. A time to pause
and consider our wellbeing before God. A bit like
a personal MOT. When we’re younger we often
feel relatively invincible, but this is not the case.
Indeed, recent studies have shown rising levels
of health and mental health issues in young
people today. As we get older, we perhaps
become a bit more aware of our aches and
pains, but our temptation is still to push on
regardless. I’m a great one for putting off going
to the doctors. I don’t fear the doctors
themselves; I’d just much rather assume I’m ok
and sort of hope for the best. But this can be a
bit foolhardy.
Through life we certainly can pick up large knocks, but
also each and every day little things happen that affect
us. Potentially over a period of time leading to
unforeseen impacts. As we said at the start, this past
year has been difficult in many ways.
I would encourage you this Lent, now, to spend some
time reflecting, honestly asking yourself ‘how am I doing?’
How am I doing emotionally, physically, financially,
spiritually, relationally, mentally? Bring God into this
conversation, because ultimately the Bible tells us again
and again that God cares deeply about us, that Jesus
came to help those who are suffering.
And so, as you ask this question, perhaps ask God to
help you answer that same question… ‘Lord, how am I’?
Gareth Hutchinson
February 2021