When Nothing Makes Sense

If I told you that I am writing these words on a Thursday morning, I suspect you wouldn’t think anything about it. But, if I tell you that, as I write, it’s the 24th Anniversary of the September 11th attack on America and just a few hours after the assassination of a well-known conservative leader in America, you will likely be transported back to those moments in your mind.

What you may also remember is the confusion and disbelief that followed those events and the questions that may never be answered. And whether or not these specific events are the reason this singular thought enters your mind, we have all had a moment, a nagging thought, and/or a sleepless night fueled by our own struggle and conclusion that nothing makes sense.

I believe we are in one of those moments right now.

On this Thursday morning, millions of us are at our jobs, sitting in classrooms, and taking care of our responsibilities but our hearts and minds are elsewhere. We are going through the motions. We see the things we’ve anchored our lives on - money, pleasure, education, power, and influence - have failed. We fear that we have wasted our time. Nothing makes sense.

Now what?

Is it even possible to experience these moments without shrinking into fear, isolation, and cynicism?

I believe YES, it ABSOLUTELY is!

Personally, I face these moments as a Bible believing Christian. I believe that Jesus Christ was born; that He lived a perfect life; that He was crucified for my sins; that He was buried; and that He was raised from the dead so that I (and all who believe) can live eternally with God. It is that faith and my relationship with Jesus Christ that comforts and sustains me, every day, but especially in the days like these when nothing makes sense. It is not a faith that always answers questions to my satisfaction, but it is an anchor that never falters, a freedom that never fails, and a hope that never ends. When I don’t understand what’s in front of me, I trust that God is in control of all the things I cannot see. When nothing makes sense, I turn to my faith. It’s what I know, believe, and trust.

And there it is! That’s how we continue to function when nothing makes sense. We turn to what we know, believe, and trust. I don’t know what that “thing” is for you, but I know that everyone has one. We can’t help it!

Whatever “it” is becomes part of us and influences everything about our thoughts, words, and actions. As long as we are alive, there will be moments and days where nothing makes sense. At the end of those days, may we all be strengthened and empowered by what we know, believe, and trust more than we are silenced by the uncertainty around us.