Certain God in Uncertain Times

The sun rose this morning with its sherbet oranges and pinks, its cotton candy blues. The green blades of the soon-to-be daffodils pointed upward toward the master painting swooped across the sky. This has been nature’s backdrop on our way to the school bus stop for the last several mornings, only the blades are taller now, indicating their bright yellow arrival is nearer than it was yesterday.

Something else is different as well. This will be the last time my children get on the bus for a full calendar month.

Amidst the armageddon-like shopping trips and unprecedented closings, I notice myself focusing on the little things that remain constant: the rising and setting of the sun, for example.

This subconscious focus toward the predictable aspects of everyday life continued as I made my way from bus stop to preschool drop-off with my youngest. I noticed a fellow being pulled over by a police officer for a traffic violation: business as usual. I stopped for a vehicle parallel parking in front of the local coffee shop because its small lot was its usual FULL. These everyday occurrences in which we are so accustomed offer me temporary reprieve from the feelings of anxiety that otherwise try to creep in.

The truth of the matter is, though, God alone can be relied upon. He is our only constant. Next week, I will not be taking my kids to school. The coffee shop parking lot may not be as hopping with activity as it was just this morning, among many other uncertainties. I’m grateful He reminds us of His steadfastness through the natural and consistent ebbing and flowing of His creation: the rising and setting of the sun or through the signs of Spring’s rebirth about to take place. But even that is not a given: it’s a privilege we take for granted every single day.

God’s Word provides many examples of the kind of faith we need in uncertain times. The prophet Habakkuk, in an intimate conversation with God, questions Him about what is going on in the world. As God answers him, Habakkuk changes his tone to worship as he boldly proclaims, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” -Habakkuk 3:17-19

Likewise, the Psalms remind us that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” -Psalm 46:1-2. I am in no way insinuating that the mountains are giving way or that our heads are all falling off (by no means!), but in the midst of a declared “national emergency” and worldwide epidemic, the Bible provides us with these extraordinary examples of faith amidst extreme circumstances.

We do not know with certainty what the future looks like. If ever there was a time to “Repent and believe the Good News” as referenced in Mark 1:15, it is now (and always). The word repent simply means to turn away from, to take a new path. Turning from sin is certainly one way we repent. It can also mean turning from thinking only through our worldly lens–which is prone to inducing fear, disappointment and hopelessness–and turning toward trust and worship of the only One who is worthy of it.

I used to carry a cross keychain with Proverbs 3:5-6 inscribed on it whenever I traveled by airplane. When He says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight,” it reminds me of the comfort only He provides. It must come from outside of our own understanding.

Oh, and while on the topic of understanding, one other thing I have found myself more in tune with during this troubling time is how this level of uncertainty is nothing new for many people in many parts of the world. Many of our brothers and sisters have been suffering the chaos and uncertainty of living in war-torn areas for months, years and even decades. It is a reminder that both globally and locally, God calls us forth to love our neighbors as ourselves. We never know when we will be in our time of need. Indeed, it is neighborly-ness, the attitude that “we are all in this together” that will help curb this epidemic.

So practice social distancing, but also practice praising in ALL circumstances. Wash your hands often, but allow God to wash your hearts of ingratitude,  choosing thanks for every little (and big) thing. Buy your rolls of toilet paper, but be prepared to lend it, as well as a listening ear, to your neighbor. In times of crisis, it is both the best and worst of humanity that often surfaces. By the Holy Spirit living in us, may we choose to be the good.

The Something Like Scales community would like to hear from you. Please take a minute and add to the conversation in a comment below: What have you been wrestling with these last few days? What truth or verse has comforted you?

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POSTED BY

Jenna

Jenna Kruse is a teacher but not in a classroom. She loves to think outside the box and inside the Word and is daily in need of an attitude adjustment. She is a wife to Justin, a mother to three children ages 10, 8 and 5 and a mentor to teenagers and young adults. You can learn more about the heart behind her blog HERE.

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