It’s been said that the world in the 21st century is an uncertain place. That probably owes a lot to Postmodern philosophies which have questioned just about everything people used to believe about where life came from and what it’s all about.
For many young people it’s more immediate than that. In a world where the future holds few guarantees, reality seems at best clouded and image is everything, people are super anxious about appearance, how many ‘likes’ they get on FB or what their ‘friends’ are saying about them from the often pernicious shadows of online ‘groupchats’.
This is where people of faith may discover a reassuring advantage.
Instead of being adrift in a sea of uncertainty, we are anchored to a ‘fixed point’, the conviction that not only is there a ‘Creator’ and therefore a purpose to life, but He is a ‘Judge’, an impartial Assessor, therefore there is ultimate ‘right and wrong’, a moral compass to life. But best of all there is strong evidence this ‘Almighty’ cares deeply for the human beings He made, so we each have definite value -someone likes us, no matter how unsure or uncool we may privately feel. In fact the greatest Person Who ever walked this earth considers us worth dying for!
Ok, so we don’t know everything. We have questions, who doesn’t? We sometimes struggle with lack of confidence in ourselves. But we can find fantastic comfort and confidence in someone else, One so much greater than us Who loves us, watches out for us and actually has some cool plans for us if we want to know.
Thus one first century writer felt prompted to write, ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer…present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 4 v 6-7 The Bible)
Basically, those who actively trust Jesus don’t have to try and navigate the ocean of uncertainty alone in the dark. It may sound a little clichéd, but we have a friendly Guide Who knows the way.
For many young people it’s more immediate than that. In a world where the future holds few guarantees, reality seems at best clouded and image is everything, people are super anxious about appearance, how many ‘likes’ they get on FB or what their ‘friends’ are saying about them from the often pernicious shadows of online ‘groupchats’.
This is where people of faith may discover a reassuring advantage.
Instead of being adrift in a sea of uncertainty, we are anchored to a ‘fixed point’, the conviction that not only is there a ‘Creator’ and therefore a purpose to life, but He is a ‘Judge’, an impartial Assessor, therefore there is ultimate ‘right and wrong’, a moral compass to life. But best of all there is strong evidence this ‘Almighty’ cares deeply for the human beings He made, so we each have definite value -someone likes us, no matter how unsure or uncool we may privately feel. In fact the greatest Person Who ever walked this earth considers us worth dying for!
Ok, so we don’t know everything. We have questions, who doesn’t? We sometimes struggle with lack of confidence in ourselves. But we can find fantastic comfort and confidence in someone else, One so much greater than us Who loves us, watches out for us and actually has some cool plans for us if we want to know.
Thus one first century writer felt prompted to write, ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer…present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 4 v 6-7 The Bible)
Basically, those who actively trust Jesus don’t have to try and navigate the ocean of uncertainty alone in the dark. It may sound a little clichéd, but we have a friendly Guide Who knows the way.
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