Que Sera Sera was an international hit record performed by Doris Day in 1956 that captured for many the sense that the future is whatever happens, and that's just what happens in the end. The Song’s second verse and chorus capture this sentiment when it goes:
“When I grew up and fell in love, I asked my sweetheart, ‘What lies ahead? Will we have rainbows day after day?’ Here's what my sweetheart said: "Que será, será. Whatever will be, will be; the future's not ours to see; Que será, será – What will be, will be."
For the Christian, this outlook of ‘whatever happens’ stands in contrast to God’s perspective of the future. What will be is not left to chance, or mere possibility alone, but rather the Will of God (Eph 1:11; Ps 33:10). The sovereignty and providence of God extend over all things and to everything that happens in life and death (Job 38-41; Gen 50:20; Acts 17:26; Rm 11:32-36). Scripture has too many verses to cite to express just how benevolent God is in the time and space we experience in this World.
The greatest demonstration of God’s goodness, justice and providence is revealed in Christ’s death and resurrection (Rm 1:14-25 cf 8:18-30). God did not make the world round so we could not see what the future holds, nor did he leave things to just take place. But rather God in Christ has made known to his people the mystery of His Will and where things are heading in the end (Rev 20-22).
The Book of Hebrews reminds every Christian to continue not to grow weary and fainthearted in their walk with Christ on the way to heaven. God’s Word urges them to meet regularly in order to spur one another on in their journey and work, looking to Jesus and the Great day of his return (Heb 12:1-6 cf 10:23-25). This is the ordinary means by which God strengthens, enlightens, and tends his flock through all seasons.
Why is this important for us to know and grow in God’s providence together as a church family? The Providence of God is essential to the Christian in life and death. It is not just an idea but our very reality under our God who is good all the time and always at work up to the final day we are waiting for to come.
The truth is, without this mindset, when weariness and losing heart do come, it is hard to bear these things on our own. However, when we walk with God and his people, we are assured and promised that He will renew our strength (Isa 40:28-31).
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1956年，由桃樂絲．黛（Doris Day）演唱的〈Que Sera Sera〉（《世事難料》）風靡全球。這首歌表達了一種對未來的看法：未來如何發展，就任由事情自然發生，而結果終究就是如此。歌曲第二節和副歌正好捕捉了這種心態：
「當我長大並墜入愛河時，我問我的愛人：『未來會如何呢？我們的日子是否天天都有彩虹？』我的愛人這樣回答我：『Que será, será（順其自然）。該發生的終究會發生；未來不是我們能預見的；Que será, será——該怎樣就怎樣。』」
對基督徒而言，這種「無論發生甚麼事，順其自然」的觀點，與神對未來的看法形成鮮明的對比。未來並非交由機遇或單純的可能性來決定，而是在神的旨意之中（弗1:11；詩33:10）。神的主權和護佑遍及萬事萬物，涵蓋生命與死亡中所發生的一切（伯38–41；創50:20；徒17:26；羅11:32–36）。聖經中有數不勝數的經文，向我們顯明神在我們所經歷的時空中，是何等良善和恩慈。
神的良善、公義和護佑最偉大的彰顯，就是基督的受死與復活（羅1:14–25；參8:18–30）。神並不是把世界造得圓圓的，好讓我們看不見未來將會如何；祂也不是任由萬事隨機發展。相反地，神藉著基督向祂的子民顯明祂旨意的奧祕，以及萬事最終將要歸向何處（啟20–22）。
《希伯來書》提醒每一位基督徒，在跟隨基督、奔走天路的過程中，不要疲倦灰心。神的話語勉勵信徒要常常聚集，一同彼此激勵，在生活和事奉中仰望耶穌，盼望祂再來的榮耀大日（來12:1–6；參10:23–25）。這是神所設立的普通恩典途徑，使祂的羊群在各樣季節中得著堅固、光照和牧養。
因此，為什麼我們作為教會大家庭，需要一同認識並在神的護佑中成長呢？因為神的護佑對基督徒在生與死的每一個處境中都至關重要。這不只是一個神學觀念，更是我們真實的生活處境——我們活在一位永遠良善、並且持續作工直到我們所盼望的末日來到之神的掌管之下。
事實上，若沒有這樣的信念，當疲憊和灰心來到時，我們很難獨自承擔。然而，當我們與神同行，並與祂的子民一同前行時，我們便能確信並得著祂的應許：祂必更新我們的力量（賽40:28–31）。
Rev. Adam Breasley
