In these uncertain times (and other useless phrases)
To be sure, 2020 has been a crazy year. And it ain’t over yet! But unprecedented? Probably not. I’ve heard that word hundreds of times in recent months, but as Solomon reminded us, there’s nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). As a rule, humans tend to be fairly self-absorbed and fairly short-sighted – “Oh my gosh, this is the worst thing that’s ever happened!! Why, in the name of everything holy, is it happening to me?!?!” In 2020, this has led to another phrase of which I have grown weary: “In these uncertain times… ”.
When have we ever, in the course of human history, experienced “certain times”? Not to minimize the loss and difficulty that many of us have experienced – it has been a tough year – but the nature of life is uncertainty. The only constant is change. None of us is promised our next breath, much less health, wealth, and a trouble-free existence. To the contrary. On the other hand, not one of us experiences a situation that is beyond redemption. As we have considered such topics in our foxhole, feeling a bit overwhelmed at times, one of the men had an idea. What if we took a day off?
Before you go thinking, “Well yeah, sure, how nice would that be?”, here’s what he meant. He, like most of us, has responsibilities and commitments he fulfills each day, interspersed with an endless array of interruptions, distractions, irritations, and opportunities for conflict. He decided he would try and “back-burner” his normal responses to those daily challenges, responses often based on his own human wisdom and self-seeking emotional reactions, and let Christ take his place in those moments. He shared a list of realizations on how that might look.
Jesus would be more caring, more confident, more joyful, more grateful than I tend to be.
Jesus would be more heartbroken about sin and suffering than I usually am.
Jesus would have a greater sense of urgency about the eternal fate of people’s souls than I normally do.
Jesus would seek prayer as a first response, not as a last resort.
Jesus would be less upset about politics and current circumstances. He would refuse to engage in worst-case scenario “what-ifs”.
Jesus would get His energy from regular, intimate fellowship with the Father.
Jesus would look forward confidently to a final outcome when all wrongs will be set right.
“Taking the day off” takes practice. Our foxhole buddy is using a pair of spiritual disciplines to help – scripture and prayer. The way he prays is starting to change, and he pointed to these verses as an example of how his approach is being altered:
God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me— my whole life one long, obedient response.
Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway!
Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot.
Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
Affirm your promises to me— promises made to all who fear you.
Deflect the harsh words of my critics— but what you say is always so good.
See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways! -Psalm 119:33-40 (MSG)
The times ARE uncertain, same as ever. But if we can pull ourselves away from the headlines and campaigns and social media “influencers” long enough to focus on some eternal truths and the real people we actually have relationships with, we will find certainty – the only Certainty that matters.
Yet you are near, Lord, and all your commands are true.
Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. –Psalm 119:151-152, 160 (NIV)