05/28/2026
Pastor Becky shared this devotion with staff and Vision Board members this week. It is from Daily Grace, a publication of the Women of the ELCA.
For Christians who have been taught that having faith in Jesus means being certain, times of uncertainty can feel like a spiritual problem to solve, rather than a spiritual opportunity to embrace. However, the Bible shows us that Godās people have often lived in deep uncertainty. Adam and Eve left the garden for an unknown future beyond. Sarah laughed to hear she would have a child in her old age. Moses questioned his call before leading Godās people out of slavery in Egypt ā only to face forty years of uncertain wandering in the desert.
When Israelās kingdom and temple crumbled, prophets like Isaiah consoled the exiles in Babylon who did not know whether they would ever return to their homeland. Jesus and his disciples lived under an empireās rule, knowing that the status quo could change at any time. Early Christians shared the Gospel and built churches without any certainty about what would become of this new faith.
If our ancestors in faith lived and trusted God while remaining in uncertainty, so can we.
A note from Pastor Becky: It seems very timely for this particular season of English Lutheran Church. Soon, English Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity will celebrate 128 years of sharing God's love with the world. This community of faith has experienced all kinds of seasons under the sun. Our ancestors in faith, both here and beyond, have lived and trusted God while remaining in their uncertainty and so can we. Remember, this is not our church. This is God's church.
(This message is excerpted from the Bible study āAfter certaintyā by Meghan Johnston Aelabouni in the May/June 2024 Gather magazine.)
