Certainty in Uncertain Times

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that. 

James 4:13-15 ESV

“How are you doing in these uncertain times?” I asked this of some of my long-distance relatives by email at the beginning of the worldwide pandemic.

We all tend to experience less peace and have plans thwarted during troubling seasons.

One replied that she and her husband were well and interjected that “all times are uncertain.”  Her comment caught me off-guard, even though as a Christ-follower, I believe no one is guaranteed their next breath. But uncertain times do not mean that everything is uncertain.

Despite my surprise, her response opened the door for us to engage with each other during months of isolation. We continue to volley our polar beliefs with kindness and love. I long for her to embrace the One, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8); available to all, but she remains unchanged. I pray and God’s love compels me to make the most of every opportunity He gives me the Holy Spirit’s guidance. 

“Uncertain times” and “unprecedented” crowd our vocabulary. Lives have been shaken and lost. Our times aren’t under our influence and control. An old testament author assures us, … what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). 

One certainty prevails through all times and, therefore, we have a living hope that we can fully trust. A believer’s eternal hope in Jesus is certain by faith.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

Karen Sims