Turmoil?

From The Rectory

As I write, I think it would be fair to say that our national life has been in a degree of turmoil over the last few weeks. The News is undoubtedly the most exciting and unpredictable programme on our TV screens at the moment.

The EU Referendum result surprised many, and some who voted for Brexit are allegedly experiencing buyer’s remorse. There have been calls for another vote from those who don’t like the outcome. Even those who campaigned to leave the EU would admit that, at least in the short term, negotiating our separation from Brussels makes for a more uncertain world. The value of the Pound and of the FTSE have reflected doubts about the future.

Very quickly after the result, and contrary to his previous assurances, David Cameron announced that he would be stepping down as Prime Minister. George Osborne and Boris Johnson, who once seemed the favourites to succeed to No. 10, didn’t even make it to the ballot paper. Only today the surprise candidate, Andrea Leadsom, has withdrawn from the contest.

The parliamentary Labour Party too is in disarray. 172 Labour MPs voted that they have no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn and Angela Eagle has today announced that she will be standing against him.

Nigel Farage, the leader of UKIP, and Roy Hodgson, England football manager, have also resigned. Even Chris Evans has quit Top Gear. Few would have foreseen the success of Iceland or of Wales in the Euros and Wimbledon was not without its surprises as number 1 seeded Novak Djokovic was knocked out by Sam Querrey, who was ranked 41st.  

And who knows what else will have changed by the time you read this? One thing we know for certain about the future is that it is uncertain.

Amidst all this flux, it is worth us taking a few moments to remind ourselves of some constants. There is solid ground on which we can build our lives.

The Bible describes God as eternal. He is the creator and Lord of time and is unchanging. He is faithful to all his promises and entirely reliable in his goodness and love. His covenant commitment to his people is unshakable. God will never let us down.

The Scriptures tell us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has promised to be with his people always even to the end of the age. He has said that he will not leave us as orphans. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we can know his protection and guidance whatever we face. Although the future is uncertain, we do not face it alone. Nothing can snatch Jesus’ people from his hand.

Christian faith, then, is like an anchor for the soul in an uncertain world. Because of Jesus’ death for us, we can be sure of God’s love for us and of the forgiveness of sins. The resurrection is the guarantee of our acceptance with God and of eternal life to come.

Although we do not understand all his purposes, Jesus knows and governs all things. Whatever happens we can be sure that Jesus is on the throne of the universe, and that he, at least, is not about to resign.