All Shall Be Well
Recently, I ran across a phrase that took me back in time to a retreat more than 20 years ago at the Villa de Matel Convent here in Houston. The phrase is attributed to the 14th century mystic Julian of Norwich. She said, “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” As I read and prayed over those words once again, I paused to contemplate their meaning and power in the midst of the current challenges facing God’s children throughout the world today.
With daily reports of natural disasters, financial challenges, political upheaval, and hospitalizations on the rise, it is not hard to understand how many people around the world are having feelings of hopelessness, fear and despair. Yet, Julian’s words and God’s promises throughout Holy Scripture invite us to be a people of faith and hope.
Our God is trustworthy for the future: “O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.” (Psalm 130:7, RSV)
Even in hardship, God has not forgotten us: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, RSV)
And Paul reminds us our hope is founded on God’s love in us today: “And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5, RSV)
And, so it is, that from Julian, to Jeremiah, to the Psalmist, to Paul and so many other places in God’s word, we are encouraged to be a people of faith and hope. Keeping that in mind, I invite you to read and pray over Julian’s words for yourself, your friends and loved ones and God’s children throughout the world.
All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well. Amen.
