Most of you know me all too well and understand that one of my several (many if you ask my family) faults is that I tend to be a little too flexible at times about my schedule, allowing the needs of others and the circumstances of the day to determine how my day goes. I have always seen this as a weakness, and have tried at times to schedule my life in such a way that I have good excuses to say NO to those things that pop up unexpectedly, but even though it is gratifying to say NO and stay on schedule, I often wonder what the world would be like if we all said NO, to everyone who needs us. In fact I have myself been put in impossible situations by the fact that others have religiously said NO as needs arise and I have been left as the last resort, adjusting my schedule to accommodate things that have to be done but that don’t have anyone to do them. I have even chuckled to myself as I have later been chided about the fact that I need to say NO more often and let someone else do it by the very person who said NO and left me holding the bag.
I understand that we all need order in our lives, and having a schedule helps with that, but isn’t there also a sense of the uncertain in our lives as believers if we really believe that the Holy Spirit is leading and Guiding us in our daily lives? Oswald Chambers, in “My Utmost for His Highest” had some things to say about uncertainty, in his April 29th Devotional, and I have to say that I feel better about my willingness to “go with the flow” after reading it. See if it doesn’t shed some light on why we all need to be a little more flexible.
The graciousness of uncertainty
It doth not yet appear what we shall be. 1 John 3:2.
Naturally, we are inclined to be so mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We imagine that we have to reach some end, but that is not the nature of spiritual life. The nature of spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty; consequently we do not make our nests anywhere. Common sense says—’Well, supposing I were in that condition . . . .’ We cannot suppose ourselves in any condition we have never been in.
Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life: gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should be rather an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, He packs our life with surprises all the time. When we become advocates of a creed, something dies; we do not believe God, we only believe our belief about Him. Jesus said “Except ye . . . become as little children.” Spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, but uncertain of what He is going to do next. If we are only certain in our beliefs, we get dignified and severe and have the ban of finality about our views; but when we are rightly related to God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy.
“Believe also in Me,” said Jesus, not—’Believe certain things about Me.’ Leave the whole thing to Him, it is gloriously uncertain how He will come in, but He will come. Remain loyal to Him.
You are loved,
PJ