Clarity in the face of uncertainty

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:35-39

A comment by Will Mancini caught my attention yesterday. He said, “the opposing force of uncertainty is not certainty: it is clarity.” I like that. We have no certainty in regard to what the future holds as this unfolds, but we have clarity about who holds the future. We have no certainty about what drug will work, which treatment will be effective, or how far the virus will travel. But we have clarity about who will win, and confidence in his call to remain faithful. 

So let’s be clear about our faith, our hope, and our posture as we face these days. We believe in the goodness of God – displayed most clearly in Jesus Christ. His death, resurrection, ascension to the right hand of the Father provides for us forgiveness, hope, peace, and salvation. Our eternal wellbeing has been secured. Our hope is in God and, ultimately, in the life of the world to come. We have a clear promise: We are more than conquerors – in the face of every kind of evil – through our God who loves us.

Our posture must be one of humble faith, clearly displayed in the practice of prayer. I invite you to join us in praying this prayer, written today by Pastor Jeff Doria:

Almighty God and Heavenly Father, I come before You with a humble heart yet boldly in faith knowing You are not only One who hears our prayers, but You care about us as well.  There is great unrest and anxiety spreading faster than the COVID-19 and Influenza put together.  Make Yourself known to all those who reject You by doing marvelous works!  Beat back this spreading virus to amaze people! Change hearts and minds faster than NASCAR drivers change their tires!  To Your faith-filled children, bring joyful songs to their hearts, especially those that struggle and are also filled with anxiety about the unknown.  Help Your Church be generous to people in need while providing for rather than hoarding for their own families.  Help us see the opportunities You bring before us and respond accordingly.  To You, Father, be all glory, with the Son and the Spirit, One God, now and forever.  Amen!