UNCERTAINTY

Moving half way around the world from first-world-middle-class-America to third-world-Philippines certainly created uncertainty, wondering what we’d gotten ourselves into, an excitement mixed with trepidation at the fascinating strangeness of the culture, weather, habits, ways that we were not versed in but willing to learn about. Staying FAT helped with that transition – FAT meaning Flexible, Adaptable, Teachable. This paradigm for facing challenges holds no matter what the circumstance.

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
I am a sojourner on the earth;
hide not your commandments from me!
My soul is consumed with longing
for your rules at all times.

Psalm 119: 18 – 20

Staying FAT in this day of social distancing, self-isolation, health uncertainties, inconveniences gives us opportunity to practice our faith and apply God’s Word to the dailiness of our lives – to remember the truth found in 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10 – truly we are jars of clay, cracked in many ways, deeply beloved by our Heavenly Dad. Yes, we face difficulties but we do not need to lose heart (although sometimes that is easier said than done. Depression is a very real issue and a whole other blog to be written about).

There is courage to be had remembering our eternal home awaits us. We can rejoice in our light and temporary trials and sufferings, in whatever we are facing. We can choose thankfulness in the midst of uncertainty (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We can work out our own salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). We can Fight the fight, no way else is right. In Jesus Christ we’ve got the victory. Fight the fight, look in to the night, we’ve got the army of Heaven on our side. Every circumstance in our lives is an opportunity to grow closer to Christ, to apply His Word to the dailiness of life. This is what He has called us to.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called…