The World in 2012
For the last few years I've been buying an annual publication called The World in [whatever year it is], which contains articles by writers for The Economist, outlining their views and predictions of what the coming year will bring. I'm still not sure whether this really is informed comment, or something not unlike Old Moore's Almanack. The fact is that each year seems to bring, not only the expected economic disasters and downfalls, but many that surprise even the best-informed experts.
One thing this year's writers are certain about, is that the world will not end in 2012. This is in spite of predictions based on the Mayan calendar cycle of 5,125 years that the world will end on December 21, 2012. (If this were true, at least we wouldn't need to bother with any Christmas shopping this year.) The writer states with absolute certainty that this will not happen; and promises readers their money back, if he is wrong.
Joking aside, it seems to be true that many of us, not just the economists and professional forecasters, look ahead to 2012 with some degree of pessimism. The only thing that is certain, probably, is that everything is uncertain. And we don't much like the thought of the possibilities we can envisage. Whether it's the economy, events in the world at large, issues of war and peace - there are many threats and dangers ahead. Similarly in our personal lives, there are so many uncertainties. Will I keep my health in 2012? or my job? Will we all face a poorer and bleaker future? Is it possible that 2012 will bring major changes to our lives: where we will be living in 12 months' time, or what we will be doing?
Of course, these questions are always real; but somehow the present mood of society makes the future look more worrying than it has looked for many years. And there are always those who try to cash in on these anxieties. Lots of them work for the news media, feeding their bad news stories into our minds day by day. Others make their living in insurance: these are the ones who send out those circulars reminding us how expensive those unexpected domestic emergencies can be to repair. And for an outlay of just a small fortune each month, we can save ourselves having to pay that huge bill that may well not arise anyway. People like these trade on our fears, and often it's the poorest and most vulnerable members of society who fall victim.
The future is uncertain. But for the believer, this uncertainty is an occasion not for fear, but for trust and rejoicing. "My times are in your hand," says the Psalmist to God (Psalm 31.15). Or, if we wanted a more up-to-date way of putting it, we could say:
We don't know what the future holds; but we know who holds the future.
One of the commonest things we read in the Bible, that God says to his people, is "Don't be afraid," and with good reason. Because when we know God, we know that he also created us, and loves us, and promises to care for us in every circumstance and provide that, whatever life brings us, we shall have the resources to deal with it. This will give us a tremendous serenity as we face the uncertain future which is so daunting to so many. And because we have that serenity, we can look forward to the future with excitement, expectation, and hope. We will be able to compensate for the negativity purveyed by the merchants of doom and gloom, and instead help the anxious and afraid to take a more realistic and healthy view.
If you're still looking for a good New Year's Resolution, why not adopt this one: I will not be afraid of what the future may bring, but will put myself gladly and wholeheartedly in the hands of the One who holds my future.
May we all enjoy a Happy and Blessed New Year, 2012.