You never realise how much you need something, until you loose it.

It's true of so many things, we never realise how much we need or value something until we loose it. Think of your health, car, job or even toilet roll. We can go even more basic -food, water, and air. All things which we need - things which we probably don't value as we should... that is until we loose them.

We are living in very unsettling times. The pace in which 'normal life' is changing is frightening, as normal freedoms - things which we have taken for granted for years - are being restricted. And only now, we begin to realise how much we needed and valued them.

Two things come immediately to mind - community and worship - both of which are integral to the life of the church, and even more basically are essential for the health of an individual and the good of society. In these times when it is neither possible nor wise to gather to worship, it is vital that we make the most of other ways to be community and facilitate worship.

I am thankful that many churches are providing opportunities to worship in your own home - from the BBC Sunday morning service - to online services (like Chryston Parish Church) or recordings. We need to get into good habits from this Sunday to make the most of these opportunities. Make the time, make the effort - it will be a battle. You might think that it will be easier - sure you can log in from you bed! Don't be fooled. We have an enemy, and he will be out to stop you worshiping this Sunday. Don't give in, fight - make the effort to spend time praising God and listening to him in his word.

In many ways, it won't feel the same - as we miss out on the 'gathering'. But God is still present. And he is still speaking through this word. As we worship we will lift our eyes, still our hearts and focus our minds on him. Doing so, will drown out the noise of the past week, calming our fears and strengthing our will for the week ahead.

As we seek to keep community - make the most of the tried and test technology of the telephone. Save your thumb, by calling instead of texting. Use FB, Twitter and What'sApp groups to keep informed. Look out for neighbours who are more vulnerable.

One thing which brings community and word together in a wonderful way is Bible 2020 - a global movement of daily reading a portion of God's word aloud. If you don't know about it - check it out online or through your app store. I have enjoyed both reading the passage for the day and seeing who I know on the wall!

That's why over the next while, I am going to get more involved - and would encourage you to as well. Reading the passage for the day will do you good. In all the things that you hear, read and view during a day, I will guarantee you that this short portion of God's word will be the most life giving. God's word 'is the true story of who we are, why we're here and where we're going' - what could be more relevant in these days.

So get the app, read God's word. I know this will be helpful for me, so I am going to commit to not just reading, but blogging through Bible 2020. A short thought or two, for the passage of that day will be posted each morning. I do hope that will be an encouragement to you - and I am sure that reading the passage will do you good... so get the app, read (and speak) God's word!

As we do so - let's look out for each other on the wall - see who can get the most creative videos as we read God's word aloud.

One other thing that is so helpful - worship music. Here's one song which blends worship and word together, a real encouragement that God is in control.