One of our favorite Kinyarwandan words is “Ntakibazo.” Not only is it a fun word to say, it has a profound meaning. The essence of the word can be translated into English as, “no problem.” What a wonderful reminder of the eternal perspective that we share as believers. Nothing in this world is a problem for God, and every challenge that we face will one day be fully resolved. God is always at work on millions of levels and he has our best interests at heart. As Paul reminded the followers of Jesus at Philippi, we can have the highest level of confidence as we face an uncertain future: “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
There are days that seem to go so smoothly, and there are days that don’t. When those difficult days compound into weeks or months, we often wonder if God is truly in control and aware of our circumstances. Life is difficult and often filled with more uncertain days than we are comfortable with.
As Pastor Tim Keller writes, “No matter what others may try to do, God’s purposes for you will stand. It is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. No matter how much Jacob lied and deceived and created havoc in his life, still he could not thwart God’s plan for his life, that he be an ancestor of the Messiah. In a sense, for a Christian, there is no ‘Plan B.’”
During a season filled with graduations, weddings and relocations, it is easy to become anxious about the future. When we secure our identity and circumstances to the Solid Rock, we can confidently face tomorrow with a fixed hope! Why not incorporate “Ntakibazo” into your vocabulary this week as a clear personal reminder? God’s got it all under control!