As December 1999 unfolded, I was a sophomore college student. Y2K bug loomed, and many people, including my family, were preparing for the worst.
Even though I planned to return to college in the spring, I packed every bit of everything that I owned from my dorm room. Just in case the theory was right, and the world turned up-side-down in a few more weeks, I would not have to worry about anything left behind at college.
I stayed up until midnight with my siblings as the new year rolled over. My parents, seasoned by life's uncertainties, had stocked up on wheat berries, frozen foods, and heirloom seeds. Their pantry sagged under the weight of preparedness. We were not alone; thousands shared our concern, hoarding canned goods and bottled water, bracing for the impending collapse of infrastructure.
By God's grace, life went on. I graduated from college, married, and became a mother.
Then we hit 2012. As a young mother, I fretted about the Mayan calendar. Would the ancient prophecies come true? But the clock struck midnight, and once again, God's grace provided humanity with more time.
In 2014, another wave of foreboding washed over us. Changes, doom, cataclysms—the headlines screamed. Yet by God's grace the earth continued to spin and I continued to breathe.
It was at this time in my life, that my relationship with fear of the world's future came to a sudden and permanent halt.
Isaiah 8:12-13, was shared to me by a dear older friend, on evening as I spilled out my fears to her. In that passage, Isaiah tells God's people
"Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread."
Fear of the future is not a biblical fear. To see that my fears were not only unfounded, but misplaced was a great gift to my soul.
Conspiracy theorists are all over the internet now. Last week, as I read about the upcoming solar eclipse, my browser filled up very quickly with scared people, scaring other people about various conspiracies and theories of destruction of the world. And what once might have swallowed me in is something that now gives me no concern. I laughed.
In Proverbs 31, we read about the embodiment of wisdom in the image of Lady Wisdom. In that passage, Lady Wisdom is said to "laugh at the future." Why? because her hope is anchored in something beyond a ticking clock.
Gifted wisdom, bestowed by the Divine,
She laughs at the future, her heart aligned.
In a world of whispers, secrets, and schemes,
Her heart remains steadfast, like sun's golden beams.
Conspiracies may swirl, shadows may creep,
Yet Lady Wisdom's laughter runs deep.
Her hope is anchored in truth's embrace,
A refuge of faith, a sanctuary of grace.
She knows that beyond the veil of time,
God weaves purpose into each rhyme.
In His hands, the universe dances and sings,
And Lady Wisdom laughs, her spirit takes wings.
For in God's wisdom, she finds her delight,
A beacon of truth in the darkest night.
Her laughter echoes through eternity's span,
A symphony of trust, a celestial plan.
So when Lady Wisdom laughs, it is not in jest,
But a hymn of praise, a soul's sweet rest.
Her soul sure, her hope anchored in God,
Untroubled by the world's chaos, forever in tune.
Seeing God in His complete rulership over all that is known and unknown is a great comfort to those who follow Him. I have nothing to fear.
Will the world end? Yes. But my soul is secure. If the world ends, my hope in God is safe.
Will I see troubling times? Yes. I am told in Scripture, that suffering lies ahead for the world, my family, and myself. But my soul is secure. My mission unchanged, no matter what changes the world undergoes.
Does the state of the world grieve me? Oh my yes! I do grieve deeply about the pain and brokenness sin has caused. But in that grief I do not fear.
Only those who do not hope in God need fear the future. Conspiracies, theories, planning for a world catastrophe, have no place in the Christians thought or life. It only defames our testimony of Christ when we as believers wrap ourselves up in fear of impending doom.
May our hearts, like Lady Wisdom, smile at what we do not know. Let us rest in God, not in circumstances. Let us walk steadfast and undistracted from our purpose in sharing the good news with those around us. As we lay down our lives daily, souls once and forever safe in His tender, eternal care.
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