New Century; Same Old Story

In His graciousness, God has blessed us to enter a new century. When you look back on the years and experiences you had in the last century, you probably wonder why you did not lose your mind. When you think about some of the traumas and extreme challenges you had to contend with, you know you should have had a breakdown or been confined to the rubber room.

But God opened doors for you that no man could shut. He made ways out of no ways. He was your shoulder to cry on, your counselor to vent your troubles to, and your comforter when you needed to grieve. He was your strength when you were weak and wanted to stop in your tracks, your peace in chaos, your protector when enemies rose up against you and your courage when you wanted to throw in the towel.

So we enter a new century, but what does that mean? Reality insist that we accept the high probability that this century will greatly resemble the last in terms of trouble, murders, drugs, hate, death, and mishaps. Evil is just as present today as it was yesterday. Satan is still the prince of this world. We are well aware that even in this 21st century, man's inhumanity to man will continue; we will treat each other badly and bring each other down. Even in this 21st century, we will be victims of racism, sexism, jealousy, envy, hatred, malice, oppression, and all kinds of abuse. Even in this 21st century, we will still have to cope with physical illness and handicaps; traffic accidents and freak accidents and accidents of nature.

The truth of the matter is plain. If we are going to make it through, we are going to need that same source of power that got us through our previous years. God's power! It really does not matter what lies ahead in the days ahead, rest assured, God knows and has it all under His divine control. I rest in the knowledge that everything is proceeding in accordance with His divine purpose and will however things may appear.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. http://www.clergyservices4u.org She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: A Grief Healing Workbook, will be available soon.