Our world is experiencing days when the vast uncertainty points, all the more, to our certainty.
When the long list of unknowns reminds us of the few things we know for sure.
When constant unrest highlights moments of peace.
When a song of unity is loud amidst the dissonant chorus.
When words like “maybe” and “possibility” and “options” and “proposals” recur so frequently that someone saying “I know” is like a shout over the crowd.
When the changes of plans and the loose way we must hold each day encourages us to cling all the more unswervingly to our hope, which will never disappoint (Hebrews 10:23).
For our family this idea of “maybe” setting a back drop for “definitely” looked like packing our bags, taking another flight across the ocean, knowing full well we had zero idea what to expect when we arrived. And yet. YET. We came because we are certain of the One who guides, prepares, and makes our steps firm. Not because we merely hope it to be true. We have SEEN it to be true.
When we stare into the future right now we see a lot of fog, the visible road stretching only feet in front of us. We find it filled with swirling ideas, shaky bridges to possibilities, too little information to light more than a step at a time. We do not know how long we can stay in TZ, and we have no idea what will be next when we leave. I’d be lying if I told you that didn’t sometimes terrify us. AND YET.
When we look back at the road already traveled, we see that past swirly twirls and shaky bridges and dimly lit spots were some of our favorite roads traveled. Not because we had so much fun every step, but because there was joy and celebration in doing the hard things, accompanied by the best Guide leading places we might have otherwise missed. We’ve experienced unrest before, we’ve been tired before, we’ve struggled before. And that remembrance is important for the certainty it provides. Even if we do not know when we will reach it, we KNOW the breath-taking view from the top will come. Again. There we will rest.
There is sometimes dissonance in our home. Our daily tunes of grief, joy, struggle, success, aren’t always in the same key even if we are playing the same songs of experience. Sometimes it makes me want to just PLUG UP MY EARS for a hot minute and block out all of the NOISE. Or send some of my people to some lessons which would teach them to play in MY KEY. But then. There are those moments of harmony. Not everyone on the same note, but notes that work so perfectly together. Orchestrated by a grand Maestro. A tiny glimpse of what full redemption will certainly be. The harmony wouldn’t sound quite as sweet if it hadn’t been so hard to learn. On days when discord seems to reign, whether in our home or in our world, I know now to hope and listen for the moments when this harmony will be orchestrated again.
The thing about future uncertainty is: no amount of discussion can suddenly predict it. The problem with discord created by unique perspectives is: the path toward harmony will never be found by acheiving sameness.
So why do I spend so much time trying? Oh, of course, I’m not throwing all planning out with the proverbial bath water. I’m not tossing away efforts toward understanding and listening. I’m just talking about an allocation of energy. We can try to unwind uncertainty like a cat at a ball of twine… spinning, spinning, spinning. Or we can use those same amounts of chase to pursue groundedness right in the middle of the shagalabagala. We can explain and re-explain our position, striving to make others hear the source of our own tune like a teacher conducting class. Or we can use every ounce of our energy to listen and discover the holes in the tune already playing. The rest notes which can be filled or the melodies which need an accompaniment, and maybe discover we have the very instrument to join the chorus.
Our family has chosen Psalm 34:1-3 as our school year verse this year because it comes from a chapter which has a pretty incredible prescription for energy allocation. Psalm 34 is a reminder of what is certain. It provides confident hope by looking back and sharing what God has already done. It reminds us that when we humbly say “only by His power and grace, I…,” others, feeling helpless, can find the very hope and light they need in this season.
May this be an invitation. Join me. Together, along this winding crazy road, let’s use our collective energy to seek and speak of the certainty of the Lord’s goodness. Let’s sing out, each in our own voice, allowing Him to orchestrate harmony. Let’s remind each other of truth- we may not know about tomorrow, but we know the greatness of the One who provided for yesterday. And we know with certainty, He also walks ahead. We know that in Him we find rest and strength, courage and provision.
We will lack no good thing.
1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
A-to the-MEN!!!!