Fun, Fun, Scary

By Becky White

Uncertainty—it surrounds us. It’s not new with The Great Pandemic. Most of us think we have some control over our lives. But we don’t. 

Life is much like the kids’ circle game Duck, Duck, Goose. We feel the safety of being touched on the head while being pronounced a Duck. And then suddenly, we feel the adrenaline surge when our head touch comes with a shout of Goose. When we hear that word it’s our turn to run, to chase, and probably, if we don’t catch up, to pass on our Goose label to someone else. 

These days we’re all wondering about the future. My heart is with all our friends and family who are self-isolating and living alone. Also with those enduring a new stress of not knowing when they’ll be able to earn their next paycheck. Please reach out to Thomas or Jeremy with your needs. We want to use what we have to meet each other’s needs — always, not just now. That’s why God brings us together in this thing called church. 

If we’re blessed to be sheltering in place with people we like, we play our board games. We spend time with our puzzles and books. We binge watch things our friends say are good. Some of us think up new ways to get the kids to race each other around the house to expend some energy. Hugh and I had fun hosting a zoom scavenger hunt with all our grandkids, all of whom live far away. 

But the uncertainty is always there. We don’t know what food or cleaning supply might get scarce next. We don’t even know when we can safely again go to the supermarket. Or to church. The death count rises daily in many areas. Goose Goose Goose

But we know who to turn to when we’re afraid. We can read His message—Psalm 34 or the short New Testament book of James—and feel comfort in God’s words of promise in times of uncertainty. We can ask Jesus to take control of our life and someday, our death. 

And Jesus isn’t saying Duck, Duck, Goose. He’s saying I’m With You, I’m With You, I Love You. We only have to stand up in our circle and follow him. 

JAMES 1:16-18

So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. 

JAMES 1:16-18

It’s going to be okay.