One word describes the last five years well…VOLATILE. Five years ago we were in the middle of the COVID lockdowns and tensions were at a boiling point. Today, everyone is watching their 401K balance go down and talking about a subject most only know from history class: tariffs. In the last five years, we have lived through social volatility, international volatility, political volatility, and economic volatility. Everyone is tired of the volatility. It’s exhausting. When will it end?
I do not know the answer to that question. I have no idea when this present season of constant volatility will end. I do not know for sure that it WILL end anytime soon. As a pastor, I hear from many people who are exhausted. They are exhausted from the constant change, constant upheaval, and constant fear of the next horrible thing happening. The rise of ubiquitous social media and everyone checking their phones all day long means that we “see and feel” everything happening in real-time. For instance, today many are anxiously checking the stock market every few minutes. It has not always been so. Just a generation ago, most people would have had to wait until TOMORROW’s NEWSPAPER to find out what happened with stocks today. Now, we have instant information at our fingertips. As a result, we are seeing and feeling everything that is happening in real-time. Many people have become emotionally and even spiritually depleted.
What do we do?
For those of us who follow Christ, we need to be reminded that there is NOT volatility everywhere. Jesus himself told us to expect volatility in this life (John 16:33). As we walk through life’s volatility, it is calming to remember that there does exist ONE place right now where there is no volatility…
“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.” (Psalm 103:19, NASB95)
There is ZERO volatility at the Lord’s throne in Heaven. There is no fear, anxiety, or anger there. There is nothing unclear. There are no ups and downs. The Lord’s plan for the ages is unfolding exactly how He pleases – right now, right on time. The Lord does as He pleases and when He pleases – it happens! This world is a stormy place. The throne of God is a calm place. How can this be? Because “His sovereignty rules over all.”
Did you know that believers can avail themselves of the throne of God? We can come before the throne of God in prayer and worship. No matter how lost, tired, afraid, or angry we may be in this moment, we can come before God’s throne. It’s called a “throne of grace” in the scripture. Thank God for that! In fact, scripture actually commands us to come before His throne.
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, NASB95)
I will see you on my knees before the throne where there is no volatility.
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