Certainty in an Uncertain World

In what might appear to be a contradictory approach to remaining positive and uplifting in my posts, I have decided to declare this year as the Year of Uncertainty.  Yes, I know that doesn't sound particularly positive, but I have my reasons.

I think there is a lot of political uncertainty right now.  Part of that is a function of the way our current President operates.  It is something of a trick in which you create turmoil that disguises primary intent.  It's the old magician's sleight of hand in which one hand is drawing the eye while the other is manipulating an object.  Part of it though, is in the hatred of the career politicians for that style -- or, lack of style.  They see themselves as the informed, the urbane, the "leaders" of our country rather than the servants of the people.  President Trump is so self-assured that he doesn't care how others see him.  He is focused on getting the job done.  Other politicians don't like that because they are all about appearances while lining their own pockets.  It's all about the vote.

The political uncertainty leads us to market uncertainty.  Volatility in the stock market is extremely high and will remain so since it is so closely tied to the psychological state of  investors.  That psychological state is one in which many feel they have lost the ability to guess when and where the next "bombshell" announcement will fall that will affect their investments.  Will it be a deal with China?  What about Russia?  What's happening with oil and the price of gasoline?  It is closely tied to the political uncertainty.

I think there is a lot of uncertainty about the weather.  Whether you are a believer in climate change due to man's activities or, not, doesn't matter.  Enough people do that it has become a factor in global uncertainty.  It adds to the destabilization of governments, of economies and of attitudes.  It will impact your life whether you believe it is true or not.  It will result in new taxes and new regulations that will impact every person.

In spite of the growing number of jobs and the demand for labor, I believe there is a lot of uncertainty in the job market.  There will be a lot of businesses that fail due to many of the reasons listed above, but also because our economy is changing rapidly.  The types of businesses that will succeed in the coming years will look very different from those that have succeeded in the past.  If you are employed by a failed or, failing business, your job is in jeopardy.  That creates uncertainty.

We can add to the above uncertainties that of health.  Who of us knows when our health might fail?

I could go on and on about uncertainty, but I won't.  Instead, I think we need to remember what is certain.  God is certain.  He reaches out to us in His unfailing love by calling us to follow Jesus.  What happens here on earth is temporary.  It is eternity that is filled with certainty.  "For God so loved the world He gave his only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."  (John 3:16)