I wrote this post before Canadian Prime Minister Mark carney made his now famous speech last month at the World Economic Forum in Davos. It seems to me to be a worth addendum to what he said.

We think the status quo will last forever. As humans we crave certainty and distrust instability. Yet instability is what we have these days. Can we get used to it?

Leaving aside domestic issues, it is pretty apparent that the rules based international order that emerged after World War Two has been blown up completely. The nations of the world are never going to be able to out this Humpty Dumpty back together again.

Is that a good or bad thing? Will what comes next be better or worse? Will the world move forward or will we devolve into a bunch of warring states?

The. Soviet Union lasted just about as long before spectacularly imploding in the early 1990s. That regime was responsible for the deaths of millions in its 80-year run. The “democratic” Russia that arose in its place doesn’t seem all that different. Was this change for the better?

The Arab Spring dominated the headlines 15 years ago. Quickly now, can you name one country in the region in which the government is more stable today? Are the people better off? Unrest continues, people continue to die and there is no end in sight.

Politically, the world seems to be on a path of devolution not evolution. Are things going to get worse or better as 2026 progresses?

The political scientist in me says things will only get worse. Those in charge have lost the concept of serving the people. They may be motivate by fame, money or, power – and those are the good reasons. Some seem to have and underlying desire to destabilize the planet because when they die it doesn’t matter. Louis XV’s famous “Apres moi le deluge” seems to be the mantra of many modern leaders.

Can it be stopped? can the trend be reversed? Is there a role for you and me, for “we the People” in turning things around? What can one individual do?

First, don’t give up. As Larry Norman used to say, “I’m not a pessimist, I’ve just been thinking.” Individuals can make a difference -especially when they band together.

Change may come at a cost. in Iran, thousands have died while calling for democracy. The theocratic regime seems to have once again suppressed dissent, but how much longer can they do that? All it will take is a charismatic leader for people to rally around. There will be more bloodshed, as dictators rarely give up without a fight, but the regime is cracking and I think soon it will break.

Second, don’t fool yourself that change is easy or fast. Yes, sometimes it can be, but more often than not meaningful change, especially lasting change, takes time. Iran has had a few uprising s in recent years that didn’t bring about a change in government. This year more people were killed than ever before, a sign that those craving freedom are growing in number.

Thirdly, and most importantly, we need to acknowledge that God is in control, even when it doesn’t feel like it. Sometimes the situation seems hopeless. Many times it doesn’t make sense. But history has shown us that God is a lot wiser than you or me. That doesn’t stop me from occasionally telling him what i think He should do – but I’m not surprised that he has other plans.

We don’t know what this new world order will look like a decade from now. One thing that does seem certain is that it’s going to be a bumpy road to get there.