Uncertain Times
by Lori Elbert, Worship Assistant
I would like to confess that the times we are living in scares the living daylights out of me. When I see the violence and terror that plagues our world, I fear for my children and the world they will inherit. When I look at the places our political system is headed, I worry that things will not go well for our country. When I wake in the middle of the night, sometimes my fears overwhelm me and want to move my family to some remote place and hide from the rest of the world.
But I can’t run away and hide. As a follower of Christ, I am called to be a light to the world. I can’t be a light to the world if I’m hiding in the wilderness somewhere.
In the midst of my fear I have to remember who is really in control. It is not the political system or those who attempt to use terror to advance their agendas — it is God, plain and simple. Hear what the scriptures say. The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. -PSALM 93: 1-2
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling places, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’ (Acts 17:24-28).
For by him [Jesus] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Col 1:16-17; ESV).
Our great God, who created everything and has given boundaries in time and space for every aspect of creation, is in control. None can challenge his power and authority. And yet, this all, powerful being stoops down and cares about the smallest detail of our lives — starting school, finding jobs and houses, managing relationships, deciding for whom to vote. Our omnipotent God is also our loving Father.
So it all comes down to this:
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. -MATTHEW 6:25-34
So when my fears overwhelm me, I will remember my heavenly Father who loves me and provides for my every need.