What Then Are We to Say?

“What then are we to say about these things,” the apostle Paul asked in the 8th chapter of the book of Romans. The things of which Paul spoke were the “sufferings of this present time.” Of course, the time of Paul’s first century world was much different than the time in which we find ourselves today. That said, we still know suffering—in so many different ways, shapes and forms—all too well. We continue to face things that leave us wondering what to say and where to turn.  

In particular, this past week felt like one filled with uncertainty as we  watched and waited to see how things would play out in various places around the globe. It left me wondering with the apostle Paul, “What then are we to say about these things?” I wound up posting the following on my Facebook page:

Praying with sighs too deep for words for:
Peace in the midst of violence
Calm in the midst of rising tensions
Safety for those in harm’s way
Sleep for all who worry.
We may no longer be in the season of Advent in the church year, but as God’s Advent people I am praying, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Come quickly, Prince of Peace.

We do not know what the future will bring, but we do know with certainty that whatever happens it will not be able to separate us from God. Paul writes in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” There is nothing in this world that is a greater force than God. God’s presence with us is certain and God’s love for us is unwavering. 

In the midst of our present times, I cling to Paul’s words. I take great comfort in the conviction that there is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from the love of God. We can pray and act in confidence that God is with us. God is not done with us or our world.