it has not yet been revealed what we shall be… 1 John 3:2
My Utmost For His Highest April 29th
Is it your natural inclination to be so precise that you bug or alienate those about you? Do you gravitate towards trying to forecast accurately what will happen next? Do you view your uncertainties about the facts of past-present-future events as a negative; perhaps even a character flaw?
We may obsessively think that we must reach some predetermined goal or sequence, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life. The nature of the spiritual life is simply that we are certain in our uncertainty.
Consequently, we do not put down roots. Our common sense says, “Well, what if I were in that circumstance?” It is difficult to see ourselves in any circumstance in which we have never been.
Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life– gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life.
To be certain of God implies that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, when it should be an expression of breathless expectation! We may be uncertain of our next step, but we are certain of God! As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He marvelously begins to fill our lives with surprises, and sometimes, beyond the scope of our imaginations.
When we descend to becoming simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God – it is only believing our belief about Him. Jesus said, “…unless you…become as little children…” (Matthew 18:3 ). The spiritual life is the life of a child. Remember your imperfect earthly parents; their love and protection regardless, even with their physical restraints? Well, God’s dimensions far exceed our parents imaginations and potential, and though we are not uncertain one iota of God’s I Am’ness, we do live in the tension of being uncertain of what’s coming next.
BOTTOM LINE TODAY! If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self–righteousness, become overly critical, and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled.
INSTEAD, CONSIDER THIS! For when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, “…believe also in Me” (John 14:1), not, “Believe certain things about Me”.
GO FORTH TODAY: leaving everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in– but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him in all things!
NEXT UP: We are now practicing Gracious Uncertainty. Join us before the night comes…