Life in Uncertain Times
One of the best words to describe our times right now is uncertainty. There are so many questions impacting our future. Will Coronavirus ever end? Will there be a resurgence? Will our kids be at school in the fall, learning from home, or a combination of the two? What will the economy look like several months from now?
As a pastor there are several questions I am working through regarding church. What will ministries look like in the fall? Will we be able to resume ministries such as nursery or MOPS? We have a new building opening up soon. What will children and youth ministries look like in the fall? I like to have a plan and leadership is difficult when the terrain is unclear. The truth is that there is always a level of uncertainty in life, but these times seem extra unstable. That can be unsettling and scary.
A passage that comes to my mind is from Joshua 1. Joshua has just become the leader of Israel and has the job of leading the invasion into the promised land. He is new at leadership and is leading his nation into an unfamiliar land full of enemies with superior weapons. We get the idea from Joshua 1 that he is nervous (I would be too) and would really appreciate a step by step plan from God on how to do this. God does speak to him and encourages him. Three times, he tells him to be “strong and courageous”. He reminds him to obey the law and to be faithful to the covenant. Why? Because the “Lord you God would be with you wherever you go.” From God’s perspective, Joshua didn’t need a detailed plan to conquer the promised land. He needed to go forward with the certainty that God was in charge and that God was with him.
Living in uncertain times is tough. I know that many of you are really struggling with being unable to fully plan ahead. Let’s be encouraged though with what we do know for certain. God is on the throne and he is with his people. Our job is to faithfully follow him and move forward with the confidence that he will never leave or forsake us.
