Certain Uncertainty

To be certain of God is to be uncertain in all your ways.

I've always loved reading that quote from Oswald Chambers. But I don't always like living it. Yet it seems like uncertainty has been the recent theme of my life.

• When Leah and I resigned from Church of the King to follow God in planting a new church, we didn't know where we would go.
• When God called us to Philadelphia, I had never been there in my life.
• When God called us to Philadelphia, I didn't know anyone there and wondered where our team would come from.
• We still don't know how we're going to sell our house in Michigan.
• We still don't know where we'll live in Philly.
• We still don't know which neighborhood our church will be launched from in Philly

We're certain that God has called us to do this. But that's about it!

Meanwhile, God has really been encouraging me this weekend to embrace these uncertainties as opportunities to trust him. 

In Luke 9, a man who was apparently impressed with Jesus' ministry made a big statement. I'll follow you wherever you go. Jesus' response was brilliant. You know, the whole "foxes have holes but I don't have a place to stay response."

First, it encourages me as I wonder where we're going to live in Philly to know that Jesus himself was homeless!

Second, when this guy expresses a desire to follow Jesus, the invitation is to a life of uncertainty. Sure! You can follow me. But I can't tell you where we're going to stay tonight or what we're going to eat tomorrow.

When Jesus calls us, He doesn't always tell us where the provision is going to come from. In fact, I think our ability to accomplish something great for God is directly related to the amount of uncertainty we're able to bear. If you demand that resources are readily available and outcomes are easily predictable before responding to God, then you'll most likely miss the opportunity.

We don't always think of Easter Sunday as a day of uncertainty, but originally the disciples had no idea how they're futures were going to play out. All of their plans were buried with Jesus. The three days between Good Friday and Easter Sunday were packed with uncertainty.

Yet this verse is stunning! Go ahead, read it again. These women, after visiting the tomb of Jesus, go home on the Sabbath and rest. Did you catch that? Suffering from uncertainty, sandwiched between the cross and the empty tomb, they go home on the Sabbath and rest.

When we face uncertainty we want answers. But God wants our trust!

Additionally, the resurrection reminds us that any uncertainty we feel related to the plan and call of God is only apparent uncertainty. The outcome is not undecided. God knows what is around the corner. Our responsibility is not to share his knowledge, but to trust His leading.

Comments

[Stephen Courtney]

I love this Brad! I feel this is what we experienced in coming to France and continue trusting God as He leads us. Great stuff and great encouragement. Thanks!

Stephen Courtney

[Kim]

Brad...I appreciate your blog in this season of my life! I have found over the past few weeks...months that I am struggling through many of the same things...it's a blessing to Know that God is consistently speaking and dealing with others who are walking this faith filled journey with the same patience, love, grace and assurance. Appreciate you and praying for you guys!

[Charity Landis]

This was really great. Thank you!