Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! (Luke 12:24)
To say that we are in an environment of unpredictability is to state the obvious. Right now, it is easy to feel unsettled and to have uncertainty about the future. Such realities are made more complex because their source is outside of our direct sphere of influence or control, and they impact us and the communities of which we are part.
We can note this in the effect of Cyclone Alfred on so many and in the continuing drought in South Australia. We realise that decisions made in another country are going to have a direct impact on businesses and communities in Australia. Volatility continues to be present in the lingering conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. A full listing for such situations would be very long!
The journey that Jesus travelled from Galilee to Jerusalem was undertaken in an environment of uncertainty. Jesus was received and welcomed by many and was criticised and marginalised by the leaders of the religious communities. Dramatically, Luke describes them as ‘lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say’ (Luke 11:54)!
The response of Jesus was to not give up. His journey was a defining one, and the uncertainty before him was part of it. His perspective was shaped, not by complaining about what he was facing, but by his sense of God’s presence and goodness. Jesus reminded the disciples that God provides the ravens what they need, and therefore God can be relied on, given that we are valued by God.
Our response to uncertainty can be communal by our providing encouragement and support to each other. More personally we build up our perspective in prayer, taking time to reflect and rest. The foundation of our hope is our abiding trust in God who does not leave us alone.
Rev John Gilmore
NCCA President