Confident Hope in Uncertain Times

‘We are living through a season of great unpredictability’.

This is what a church leader said to me recently and I think I agree. We are not merely in a season of great change, but of unpredictable change. We are moving from a stable time in our country to a less stable time. In the wider world, massive forces are at play. Wars and rumours of wars, the long tail of a pandemic that is simultaneously global while also personal to many, the rise of AI, and all manner of economic and social challenges, not least how society treats the most vulnerable. The younger generation (especially those in their twenties) can rightly feel that many of the foundations that provided security for my generation have been pulled out from under them. It leaves a huge number of people with broken families, high financial debt, a lack of male role models, housing crises and fears about very uncertain futures. All while being plugged 24/7 into an online world that’s running a never-ending popularity contest.

Deeper even than the global forces is what theologian Carl Truman has called ‘an anthropological crisis’. We live at a turning-point in history when the end of Christendom with its moral certainties is combined with expressive individualism, philosophical postmodernism, and global capital to redefine the very basis of reality and what it means to be human.

If you aren't aware of these things, the 18-25s in your church certainly are. Profoundly so. We are heading into times of disorientation, disillusionment, and fear among emerging adults. We should not be surprised if people feel disenchanted, anxious, confused, manipulated, or impoverished.

HOWEVER . . .

There are also seeds of a spiritual awakening in the UK. In recent months, the Bible Society has published its report, ‘The Quiet Revival’. It highlights the fact that Gen Z is returning to church, and it is hard to miss reports from many parts of the UK about God being at work, drawing many seekers to Christ. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised at all. In an age when the promises of secularism are looking distinctly empty, we ought to expect the mighty hope of the gospel of Jesus to shine forth brightly.

It all feels rather New Testament.

I especially love this verse in 1 Samuel.

Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him to find strength in God.

1 Sam 23.16

It seems to me that this is what we are doing as Christian shepherd-leaders in these times. It's good to remind ourselves of the many passages in the New Testament that call us to stand firm in Jesus.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

Phil 4.1

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Heb 10.39

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Heb 12. 1-2a

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Col 3.1

This is to mention just a few. These are verses of great security and safety, but also of exhortation. Keep our eyes fixed. Don't get distracted. It is a critical time for Christians and churches to be agents of hope. As the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans,

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.

Rom 8.15

There is an opportunity to be radically different to the world. And one of our chief characteristics, one that makes us stand out, is our hope. We have a clear alternative to the confusion and despair of difficult and declining times. We are those who are standing firm in the love and hope that is in Jesus, when all around things feel shaky and uncertain.

Make no mistake, Satan would love to deprive us of hope. As the apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, ‘we are not unaware of his [the devil’s] schemes (2 Cor 2.11). The thing Satan longs for most is to stop us hoping in Christ. He wants to prevent us worshipping the Lord. Therefore, let's put on the whole armour of God, so that we can stand against him (Eph 6).

We are people of hope! We have unshakeable assurance.

So, let's depend on it and bring it to mind every day! We have received the gospel with joy given by the Holy Spirit. We are crying out ‘Abba Father’. We may feel that the nations are raging, that kingdoms are rising and falling, but Jesus has been victorious over all the powers of death and hell and one day, his complete victory will be revealed. Romans 5 gives us such hope. Hope for now and hope for the future, though for a while we must suffer trials.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. reminds of such wonders about our faith.

Rom 5.1-5

So let's preach and proclaim our mighty Hope in these days! We are confident in Jesus, rejoicing in the glory of God despite everything. We are completely different to the world; we stand out as light in the darkness. What would it be like for all our churches to be known as places of hope, for that is what we are? For people who are all at sea and desperately yearning for love, authenticity, and community, we offer grace and above all, hope. There is great opportunity in these unstable and unpredictable times for people to see that we are safe, secure, and comforted in the love of God.

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On that note, this is a time of change for me personally as I come to the end of my period leading Living Leadership. The message above I preach to myself. As I move on, I must also stand firm in the Lord, believing that he is my secure foundation. Over nearly twenty years I have been amazed and profoundly humbled at how the Lord has been building care and provision for Christian leaders and spouses through this growing network. I could not be more excited to see what he does in the months and years ahead as Phil Sweeting takes over as CEO. Living Leadership is a ministry begun and rooted in prayer, humanly-speaking quite powerless, and constantly aware of Jesus’ words in John 15, that apart from him we can do nothing. We are conscious at all times of Jesus’ words that start verse 5.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.

John 15.5a

I intend to remain connected to Living Leadership, supporting Phil and our wonderful team, as we encourage church leaders and spouses in the love of God. I’m excited to see God at work in the days ahead. Please pray for us as we transition to the next chapter.

Have a great summer.

With warmest love in the Lord Jesus.

Marcus