Amid ongoing uncertainty, ELISABETH CARTER looks at what is certain…
Sydney, Australia
Here in Australia, things are starting to open up again. Glimmers of hope are appearing on the horizon as the government starts to gradually lift restrictions.
PICTURE: Ravi Pinisetti/Unsplash
And yet so much remains uncertain.
When will kids be back at school full time?
When will we be able to meet at church?
When will be able to hug our friends?
When will we stop having to worry about our jobs?
When will be able to plan holidays again?
Will there be another spike in infections?
Will our loved ones get sick?
Living with so much uncertainty can be deeply frustrating for those of us who like to plan for the future. I know I have struggled with not knowing whether I’ll be able to earn enough money to meet my business targets, or when my husband and I will be able to reschedule our cancelled European holiday.
We humans like to make plans, to prepare ourselves practically and mentally for what is to come.
But when we can’t count on things to come, we must find other things to cling to – things that won’t shift or change on a daily basis.
And for those of us who follow Jesus, we have that! The Bible tells us that actually, there is so much that is certain that can never be taken away by even the most vicious of pandemics.
It is certain that even when things seem out of control, God is in control and has a plan. Let Romans 8:28 encourage you: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
It is certain that God is with us, even when we feel lonely and isolated and we’re missing our loved ones. Joshua 1:9 tells us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
It is certain that this disease will not always affect us like this, and more importantly, it is certain that this deeply broken world will not last forever. Revelation 21:1-5 gives us this glimpse of the new creation:
“Then I saw ‘a new Heaven and a new Earth’, for the first Heaven and the first Earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’
Yes, so much is uncertain. We cannot be sure what the immediate future holds. But when we know that God is in control, He loves us, He has a plan and this pain will end, that may just be enough certainty to get us through.
