There is the cone of shame. It is the collar they put on the dogs when they are hurt. It keeps them from harming themselves while needing to heal.
There is the cone of silence. Some of you may remember seeing this in the old "Get Smart" movies. When there is something of high importance not to be heard by others, this big cone would drop down. It never seemed to work.
Then this week, we kept hearing about the cone of uncertainty. It is the weather person's way of saying, "We just really do not know." It is the area (sometimes very large) where the weather system is capable of going. The cone of uncertainty keeps us all on edge. Uncertainty does this. It confuses us. It can paralyze us because of the fear that it brings forth.
I would like to remind you that within the faith there is a cone of certainty. The writer of Hebrews in Chapter 12 starts out reminding us that we are surrounded by a cloud of witness. We are certain about what faith can do—what faith WILL do! Because of this, we are not paralyzed. We are not confused. We are certain. We know.
Knowing gives great power. Knowing enables us to have a destiny. I am constantly reminding people that whatever tomorrow holds, God is at work for goodness in our world. Does that mean that we will not suffer? No. Does that mean that life will not be difficult? Absolutely not. It means that whatever happens we are not alone. It means that whatever happens God will not be defeated. It means that there is nothing in this world that can keep us apart from God.
This is good news. This is certainty. In the old song, written by a blind woman named Fannie Crosby, we sing "Blessed Assurance, Jesus in mine. O what a foretaste of glory divine!" Ms. Crosby though not able to see with her eyes, saw with her faith.
During these anxious times, stand in the cone of certainty.
Pray for me as I pray for you.
In the Master's Name,
Dr. M. Jack O'Dell
Lead Pastor, The Well UMC
www.thewellumc.com or midweekmanna.com
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