Word for Wednesday… Variant
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17
If I hear the word “variant” one more time, I think I’m going to scream. Of course I’m exaggerating. I’m not really the screaming type. I only say that to illustrate how sick I am of hearing it. Just when it seems like we can see the light at the end of this pandemic tunnel, the news will report the discovery of yet another variant that is more contagious, or more dangerous, than the variant that came before it. Naturally this news translates into more mask requirements, more social distancing, more economic impacts, etc. But worst of all, at least for me, it means more worrying, more worrying about me or someone I love becoming seriously ill, or even dying. That’s not fun to think about. And as much as I want to blame the CDC, Dr. Fauci, China, the news media or even the virus itself for my angst; they are not responsible. Dying is a consequence of living, and there is no end to “variants,” that can make us more aware of that reality.
What I mean by that is this: there will always be something that can cause us harm, something that keeps us up at night, something that causes us to worry. It doesn’t have to be news of a new Covid-19 variant. It could be a report on the rise in traffic-related fatalities, a link between a favorite food and an increased risk for cancer, or the dire predictions of rising sea levels on account of climate change. Variants are never ending. The only way I know to find peace in the midst of so many variants is to rest in the arms of the one constant, our Heavenly Father. As James reminds us, with our God there is no “variation or shadow due to change.” Instead, there is only the one constant of his never ending love for us, revealed in the perfect gifts he gives to us, with the most perfect of them all being the gift of his Son, Jesus. I’m not suggesting that we should not take the necessary steps to “flatten the curve” of infections, or stop using common sense to protect ourselves from anything else that may harm us. My point is that our salvation from all the dangers of this world will only come from God, and he is the one in whom we should place our hope and trust.