DEALING WITH CERTAIN (UNCERTAIN) CHANGE IN A NEW YEAR

Year after year, world over since creation, it is expected that there will be a 1^st of January – a beginning.  A beginning of what on one part, we certainly are aware of – it's a new year, but also we are uncertain of – how– because days are not in our hands and so we do not know what the future looks like.  They are in the hands of the creator, God. So we can only hope, and trust and maybe, plan about them. 

This three-part series addresses the hope, confidence and faith we have in both the certain and also the uncertain. 

Certainty

Naturally, towards the end of the year many people, I believe almost everyone except young children who are still maturing, have great anticipation for the new year.  We know without a doubt that the current year we are in will end and behold a new one – a new phase.  So there is anticipation based on both internal as well as external factors. 

Internally, some positive plans can be a major motivation to see the next year.  An expectant couple is in anticipation of a child.  A student (candidate) expects results to propel them to move to the next level.  A diligent worker expects some form of promotion at their workplace. 

On the flip, there could be some negative internal factors that cause one to anticipate the turn of the year.  These include poor health, emotional instability, and negative family-related issues with children and spouse as well as other relatives.  Anyone experiencing turbulence in these or other areas hopes and trusts that as the year ends, the new one will bring good tidings.  A relief of some sort.

There are also external forces that influence anticipation for change including inflation, economic crunch, financial instability and ill health or death of a loved one, or pandemics such as CORONA as experienced in the last two years.  All these present one with anticipation – a yearning and longing to see things change for the better.

Uncertainty

Let me just repeat that – everyone is certain that the year will one d
ay end and a new one set in.  That we are sure of – one hundred percent.  However, as much as we are certain of that truth, there is an uncertain bit about it!  The how – how will it be?  This, in many cases, brings anxiety, especially when one is faced with challenges as seen above. 

Now, isn’t the how about the ‘unseen hand of God?’  Isn’t it about His supernatural workings that we don’t see; that which causes the sun to rise in the morning and set in the evening?

Let’s talk about ‘Hope and Confidence and Faith’ in a New Year…continued in Part Two.