The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. 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 of the rest, never knowing what a day may bring. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should be said with a burst of breathless expectation: we’re uncertain of the next step, but we’re certain of God.
The above was written by Oswald Chambers and I am really learning I can be certain in the uncertainty. I used to like to make plans, but I have given up on that in a lot of ways now as many of my plans seem to go awry. When I look back at my plans going off track, I realize that often God allowed them to derail to get me back on His track. His ways and thoughts are not my own, and I recognize that I need to trust Him and not lean on my own understanding.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
For far too long I have leaned on my own understanding, which has been an unstable underpinning. I wanted to plan things out so that I did not have to face the unexpected. Now, as a missionary in a foreign land, I have learned to expect the unexpected and trust that God is with me to guide me through life’s surprises that never takes Him by surprise. I liked to plan but found out the hard way that God would have His way leaving me in unexplainable situations that He was working for good, even though I didn’t see it then.
There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand. Proverbs 19:21
As I write this article, I am in one of those situations where nothing seems to make sense and I feel like I am treading water in the depths of an ocean of uncertainty, surrounded by a sea of confusion with undercurrents of frustration ready to drag me down. But, then in the midst of this storm with waves of anxiety rising in me, I am remembering I serve a God who stills storms and walks on water. And with His mighty hand He can pull me out of these tempestuous tides. I can hear Jesus saying something similar to me as He said to Peter when he was overcome by fear as he looked at the waves and started to sink, “O you of little faith, why do you doubt?” (See Matthew 14:31). My faith wanes and doubt rushes in when I become less certain of God, forgetting that He shows up unexpectedly to do the impossible.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. John 21:3-6
That’s just like our Lord. When we least expect it, He shows up unknown to us and tells us to do something contrary to our thinking. These guys were already out fishing and caught nothing. It was more than likely not the time to go fishing and they were told to put the net on the opposite side of the boat. This went against their cultural norm and would have been more difficult for them physically because this was not how they were used to catching fish. But they obeyed anyway and got a major catch of fish. God’s ways are sure even if they don’t make sense. So, we can be certain of Him when everything around us is uncertain. We need to trust and obey Him even when He tells us to do what is counterculture, making others uncertain about our ways. Then we will experience an unexpected outcome that only He can do in the middle of the uncertainties. You can be certain of that.
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