Uncertainty

Welcome back to school, and happy 2021! It is good to be back together, even if we must meet online for a time. Although I have seen numerous news articles stating that there is a difference of opinion at the government level about when students can return to campus, the most up-to-date official word that we have received from the Department of Education is that all students can return on Monday, January 18. As always, we will let you know if this date changes.

Just typing this paragraph reminds me that we are living in a time of uncertainty.

One very important process that is happening behind the scenes right now is interviewing candidates for open positions for the 2021-2022 school year. Whenever I meet with a potential candidate, one thing that I usually share with them is that when one desires to work in an international setting, it is essential to be able to live with some level of uncertainty. The school cannot guarantee that they will be issued a work visa or that the Department of Education will approve them to teach at the school. Many things are outside of our control. We simply must wait patiently for the government processes to run their course.

As someone who likes to plan and to make things happen, and who especially likes to be in control, this is not easy for me. Just the normal process of living outside of one’s passport country is difficult. Add to that the whole COVID situation, and our level of uncertainty has been raised significantly. I must admit that I haven’t always handled this well. I have become impatient or frustrated. I believe that God is using this time of extreme uncertainty to teach me what it means to truly trust in Him. I lean on God’s promise that He is in charge. Nothing comes as a surprise to Him, and He is working things out for our ultimate good.

With the availability of the internet, it is easy to look up Bible verses about certain topics. Here is one website that I found helpful: https://biblereasons.com/uncertainty/ I particularly liked the first quote that says “When uncertainty keeps you up at night, then close your eyes and think of something that is certain. – God’s Love.” I have found that it is super important to cling to God’s promises and to what I know and understand of His nature during times like these. May God comfort and strengthen you during this time of uncertainty.

Because of His Faithfulness,
Dr. Sharon C. Brobst, Director