31 May & 1 Jun 2025 (Pastoral Page) LIVING WITH UNCERTAINTY

By Dr Peter Lim

Life is uncertain. This cliché took on a new dimension following the ascendancy of a new President to the United States in January this year. Major policy changes, in particular, the tariff hikes have generated widespread global consternation and economic imbroglio. These uncertain times are not going away any time soon.

Uncertainties in life can ultimately be attributed to our fallen sinful nature and to the fact that we are not in control of our destiny. Although uncertainty does not always result in adversity, it causes anxiety. In reality many of our uncertainties could well turn out to be blessings in disguise. While this may be so, most of us would like situations to have predictable favourable outcomes. Unfortunately, even with the most meticulous planning and execution, things have a way of going awry. So, we might as well accept that our world is imperfect and we will be subject to vagaries.

Our responses to the vicissitudes of life are shaped to a large extent by our view of God. What we believe about God will be tested when we are buffeted by the storms of life. Does our perception of God being all good and powerful preclude Him from allowing inexplicable disasters to fall upon us? Ultimately, the issue of our response to adversity hinges upon our faith in God. We need to be reminded from God’s word that both calamities and blessings come from God – “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?” (Lamentations 3:38). While this is so, we are assured that God does not exercise His sovereignty capriciously but only in such a way as His infinite love deems best for us – “Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love. For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men” (Lamentations 3:32,33). On the basis of Jesus’ teaching on this subject there should be no room for anxiety – “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father . . . So, don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31). The lesson here is that if God does exercise His sovereignty even in the life of the ordinary sparrow, surely, He is in control of the circumstances that affect us as believers who are His children.

On a personal level we are fully aware that all of us have a limited shelf life. The older amongst us are probably more cognizant of this. Statistically, life expectancy in Singapore exceeds the Biblical yardstick of threescore and ten years. But an unexpected accident or illness can terminate our lives unexpectedly and prematurely. How we respond to this uncertainty depends upon our perspective of life. For example, in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21), the rich man dedicated his life to amassing wealth and possessions and having done so to enjoy a hedonistic lifestyle – “take life easy, eat, drink and be merry” (Luke 12:19) without any due concern for the hereafter. In contrast the Christian’s perspective of life is aptly summarised by Moses – “teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). It is the fool who reckons that all of life revolves around the here and now. Measured against the expanse of eternity our earthly life is indeed like “. . . a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes” (James 4:14).

If our lifespan is so uncertain then there is a great imperative for us to keep short accounts with God and man so that when we do go, we can do so with a clear conscience. It is therefore a good practice to confess our sins to God and claim His forgiveness daily (1 John 1:9). In our human interactions the apostle Paul urges that all anger should be dissipated by sundown (Ephesians 4:26). Unresolved conflicts and broken relationships have been the bane of the Christian community since the days of the early church. The Bible teaches us to ask for forgiveness from those we have wronged (Matthew 5:23-24) and to forgive those who have wronged us (Matthew 18:15-17).

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). To put it simply, do whatever you have to do in this life before you die! This is particularly true of our Christian ministry. We should serve God while we are still able. Many of us have a view of postponing our service for the Lord to a more convenient time like when we have established our career, after our children have grown up or upon our retirement. But that day may never come!

Enjoy life and live it to the fullest. The good things in life are God’s gift to be enjoyed by us with thankfulness and contentment. This is a recurring theme in the book of Ecclesiastes (2:24; 3:12-13; 3:22; 5:18,19; 8:15; 9:7-9). We should not confuse this with the hedonistic lifestyle espoused by the rich fool referred to earlier. It is also interesting to note that in nearly all the references quoted from Ecclesiastes, finding satisfaction in work is part of enjoying life.

While uncertainties pervade our physical world, it is only in the spiritual realm that we can find the certainty we so desire. The apostle Paul sums it succinctly – “. . . I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). His firm conviction is grounded in the revealed word of God. The only way to ensure that our lives will be well ordered is to cede control to Him. But a God-fearing life doesn’t automatically equate to one devoid of uncertainties and adversities. On the contrary, God often allows trials to test the genuineness of our faith (1 Peter 1:6,7) and to allow us to develop spiritual maturity (James 1:2-4).

In summary, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6,7).