I’ve tried. I promise you I’ve tried to understand them. I’ve read social media posts of friends I disagree with. I’ve listened to perspectives wildly different than mine. I’ve made an honest effort to avoid creating echo chambers in my life … for better or for worse.

After all my self-perceived open-mindedness, I still cannot bring myself to buy into the current global narrative being written. Take, for example, the Pioneers of Change virtual call this past month. It’s where a select group of global activists advocating for “The Great Reset” tackled the topic of “How to Build Resilience and Trust Post-Pandemic.”

There’s nothing inherently wrong with bringing great minds into a room to discuss a topic as relevant as this one. We can even give them some benefit of the doubt as to their motives. Still, the title alone begs the question: Trust in what? 

The Great Reset

Reading directly from the website, it would appear that the World Economic Forum touts a united humanity as the means by which the planet will be rescued from forces that would bring it to the brink of extinction. This includes pandemics, climate change, social injustices and the like. In bringing the global community together as one for the greater good, our world will “reset.” It will alleviate, and perhaps even cure — the ills that plague us. I’m assuming that for this to work, the requirement is total buy-in. Like every person on the planet buy-in.

Analyzing their proposals from a biblical worldview, there are a few obvious assumptions being made. Here are three: 1) humanity can band together and save itself; 2) destructive forces at work are outside of us, rather than within us (greed, hate, malice, idolatry of all kinds and sexual immorality, to name a few); and 3) advancements in science, technology and globalism are the answer to the challenges facing our rapidly-changing world.

The assumptions seem to omit God as part of the conversation. Yet they still promise a better future founded on utopian ideals. Can they deliver? Or will their initiatives actually usher in a dystopia that tracks our private lives while consolidating power into the hands of an elite few?

What Really Helps Humanity

Sure, the World Economic Forum’s “Great Reset” may have some plausible ideas that truly help humanity. However, it would never be a replacement for the eternal reset my soul needed — only found through salvation in Jesus Christ. He has forever wrecked me to ever look at this world or its man-made institutions to save me from the plight of its fallen state.

I cannot “un-see” the Truth of who Jesus is, my need for Him, as well as the triumph of his incarnation, death and resurrection. This is available to all. These truths have not only reset my soul, but they have entirely reformed my worldview.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, not only am I reset, but I am also reborn of the Holy Spirit. I’m redirected away from sin and into holiness. I am repurposed to live for God-glorification and not self-gratification and I am renamed into the forever family of God. I stand with the Apostle Peter, affirming that “according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).

Therefore, I do not seek utopia in the here and now. Sinful man who erases God from the narrative cannot achieve this goal. History has already proven this. In fact, under this scenario, man’s efforts become nothing more than self-righteousness disguised as altruism.  

Salvation: God’s Cornerstone of Humanity’s Great Reset

When Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews came to Jesus in the dark of night, Jesus wasted no time in telling him that “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). He quickly followed these words inviting all of us into our greatest reset for all of eternity: “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Through salvation in Jesus Christ, we are completely reset to walk by a new and living way, contrary to what is possible within ourselves or by our own power. We were a slave to sin, but we are now made free (Romans 8:2). We have been given a new spirit — God’s spirit (John 3:6) — that brings us into restored fellowship with our Creator, empowered and equipped for every good work (Ephesians 2:10).

Salvation in Jesus Christ is our ultimate security, the foundation of an inexplicable confidence to those whose minds are still blinded by the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4). And herein lies the disconnect of me not understanding them and them not understanding me. I don’t fear what they fear. In light of the Truth, I can’t.

Freed to Live Fearless

Assured of eternal life, believers need not fear death. We are freed to live fearless! Our paradigm is forever changed from temporal to eternal and from corruptible to incorruptible.

Anchored by this hope, our minds have been reset “on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2). This is an even greater reset than the one being talked about by global activists. It is a radical call to live as if we have already died. “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

It is here in the Great Reset of our souls that we are able to say: “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Christ becomes our life. “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4). We, who once were on a path of eternal separation from God, now will appear with him in glory. Seen in that light, I can think of no greater reset.

Annemarie McLean is a four-girl mom, freelance writer, and co-founder of Brave & Beautiful, a ministry focused on challenging young women to live purpose-driven lives full of courage and character, while developing Christ-centered inner beauty. Annemarie holds a journalism degree from Oral Roberts University, with graduate work in organizational leadership at Palm Beach Atlantic University.