When everything we have ever believed in is disintegrating - what should we do?

Everything is changing – and I mean everything.
The changes we are having to experience in our world right now are simply unprecedented and hard to come to terms with.

Phil Cooke points out in his excellent book – Jolt – how everything around us in this fast moving 21st century is dramatically changing.
He says: “Globalisation has changed business, the media have changed our perceptions, culture has changed our values and technology has literally changed everything.”
Of course, we live in the instant world of mobile phones, text messaging, and social networking. In this digital world, word travels fast and change therefore becomes overwhelming, often happening without warning. For better, or worse, “disruption” is the word that best describes this 21st century which we must embrace.
Yet other things we have become familiar with are fast disintegrating also. Family values and stable homes, good government, strong leadership both inside and outside of the church, are a rare commodity these days. The economy too is shattered worldwide following the collapse of some of the world’s largest banks.
And take the recent revelations regarding child abuse which have literally rocked the Roman Catholic Church to its very foundations. Sincere well meaning Catholics, once fully trusting in their priest, church and even the entire system of Catholicism have been sorely let down. It’s no exaggeration to say that everything those parishioners have ever believed in has come tumbling down - and how?
Is it any wonder then that people are struggling to survive amidst all of this change?
They have many questions, but very few answers.
Which brings me to the title of this article - a very relevant and important question namely: “When everything we have ever believed in is disintegrating – what should we do?
The answer is actually quite simple – we must trust solely in the one who never changes – the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
Regarding the confusion and heretical days we live in the apostle Paul admonishes us to “look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” This is where our hope truly lies.
Hebrews 13:8 says - Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forevermore.”
The prophet Malachi wrote of God’s constancy - For I am the Lord and I do not change, therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
Psalm 102 also reminds us that “God remains the same and His years will never end”
And how’s this for assurance, when everything we have ever believed in has crashed down around us - Habakkuk chapter one declares –“O Lord, are you not from everlasting? My God and Holy One, we will not die.”
Psalm chapter twenty records – “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will trust in the name of the Lord”.
In other words if we stake our entire eternity upon successful men and the large institutions of this world, it counts for nothing. The real source of our security is found in Christ and in Him alone.
Paul wrote – “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name given among men under heaven whereby we must be saved”. Jesus said in John chapter 14 and verse 6 –“I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh Father but by me.”
How significant that in one of his greatest ever parables the Lord Jesus warned about the folly of building our Christian lives upon shaky and unreliable foundations. He likened it to building upon sand which the wind would eventually blow away. Instead He exhorted us to build upon the rock which never changes - Christ Himself.
When everything we have ever believed in is disintegrating what should we do?
That’s a question that Christ himself prompted an answer to over 2,000 years ago. When many went back refusing to follow Jesus any more in John chapter six, He asked His chosen disciples a question – “Will you also go away?” to which Peter replied “Lord whom shall we go to, thou hast the words of eternal life?”
One commentary translates this as - “Where shall we find a more gracious master – a more powerful redeemer - a more suitable saviour?”
Peter knew that his own salvation was found in Christ only. Therefore he added the words - “We believe and we are sure that thou art that Christ the Son of the living God.”
Peter knew that only Christ could prove dependable and truly ensure eternal life; only He is capable of giving us direction in a dark land through the pages of His word. Only He is constant and true. Only He will never change and never fail.
When everything we have ever believed in is disintegrating before our very eyes what should we do? We should run to the Lord Himself and to His Word. David said – “Thy word is lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
God’s Word may well be the only sustaining source we have left and maybe that’s the place where God wants us to be – depending totally and absolutely upon the words of eternal life.
So despite the massive changes taking place today – even within the Catholic Church - there is still somewhere for the disillusioned and the disappointed to go - somewhere where we can find genuine reliability – Jesus Christ our Saviour – the one mediator between men and God.
That’s why the Lord Himself said in the book of John - “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”