Make a list:
Tax season. Tornadoes. Winter solstice. That old lady in line in front of us with the checkbook. Something happening to my kids.
No matter what comes to mind, there is one thing most of us don't think to include on our list of dread. Many of us quake in our boots when we sense his presence. Others don't even realize they've developed a subconscious, yet deeply-rooted fear and hatred for this inevitable companion in life.
His name?
Uncertainty.
Something happened we didn't expect. So...now what? Uncertainty.
I thought my job was secure. Did not see that coming! Uncertainty.
We feel called to go, but we're not sure where the money is going to come from. Uncertainty.
I spent 5 years of my life thinking she was the one. Then she dumped me. Uncertainty.
We HATE Uncertainty.
It's the unknown.
It's a path we've never walked down.
It exposes that we aren't really in control.
It forces me to consider options that I never wanted to consider.
It puts a hot, white light on things.
It's new. It's different.
It requires change.
It's unfair.
Uncertainty.
It can be our worst nightmare.
OR
It can be our greatest friend.
Uncertainty...
Causes me to trust the Lord when maybe I've started trusting myself.
Gives me an opportunity to see God provide where I don't have the ability.
Pushes me back to prayer in places where maybe my heart has grown stale.
Stretches my faith and forces my hand.
It says, "Do you really believe that?"
Reveals who I truly believe God is.
Reveals who it is that I'm becoming as His child.
Uncertainty lives in "the valley of the shadow of death". And the Lord doesn't promise to shield me or remove me from that valley. But He does promise to walk with me there. I find His comfort there. I find His presence and His power there. And many times, He has to take me back there to remind me of these things.
I like to remind Uncertainty of Isaiah 43:1-2:
"But now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says: 'Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."
How long's it been since Uncertainty paid you a visit?
You know he's coming, right? Might as well be ready.
Welcome back, Uncertainty. It's been awhile.
