Friday, 31 January 2014

Going and not knowing

The message in this chapter "Going...not knowing" by Charles R. Swindoll in his book "Come Before Winter and share my hope" reverberated in my soul.

Here are some excerpts from this seasoned author in the faith and in literature:

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"And now, in obedience to the Holy Spirit I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there..." Acts 20:22

What an honest admission! I am going...not knowing what will happen. That's what this thing called the Christian life is all about, isn't it? Going...yet not knowing.

As followers of our Lord we believe He leads us in a certain direction...or in pursuit of a precise goal. That leading is unmistakably clear. Not necessarily logical or explainable, but clear. At least to us.

We pack our bags, pull up stakes, bid our friends farewell and strike out. We face a future as uncertain as our leading is sure. How strange...yet how typical!

There isn't a Christian reading my words who hasn't walked that path. And struggled with ways to convince others it was right. And endured the frowns and well-meaning counsel of those who tried to point out why the idea was a fluke...even downright foolish.

For sure Abraham faced it when he wrenched up roots from his hometown soil and struck out for - let's see, where was he going? HE DIDN'T KNOW! There he was, almost 75 years old, loading up a camel caravan with his wife and family bound for...somewhere.

"It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without knowing where he was going."
Hebrews 11:8

It is no easy thing to leave a sure thing, walk away from an ace in the hole and start down a long, dark tunnel with no end in sight. Absolutely frightening...yet filled with unimaginable excitement.

Going...yet not knowing. Obeying...yet not understanding. Beginning a journey that's unpredictable, risky, untried and appearing virtually insane - yet prompted by none other than Himself.

Are you on the verge of such a decision? Is the Lord loosening your tent pegs today, suggesting it's time for you to take a drastic leap of faith? Are you counting on Him to direct your steps through a future that offers no tangible map?

Great! But before you jump, be sure of 4 things:
  • Be sure it's the Lord who is speaking
  • Be sure the decision doesn't contradict Scripture
  • Be sure your motive is unselfish and pure
  • Be sure the "leap" won't injure others or your testimony
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Yup, I'm totally in this mode now. I'm just going...yet not knowing. I know the visions and call He's placed in my heart.

He's progressively updating and clearly specifying His will in my life...BUT, I still don't know how exactly any of what He has shown me is going to come to past!

I don't know what step to take next, what doors are open by Him and what choices to make for my next phase of life.

But, looking at God's hands in my life up till now, I daresay all will be fine. Everything will work out in the end.

Somehow, there is this familiarity in this uncertainty.

Sometimes, to keep asking God for directions is like asking a taxi driver "Where to turn next? Is this the correct street? The signboard says turn left at this junction!"

How do you think the taxi driver will react? He'll probably get angry and scold the shit outta you.

Same it is with God (not the "scold the shit outta you" part..haha). If He's taking the wheel of your life...Then, sometimes, we just needa chill, stop asking questions and let Him drive. Knowing that...

In Him is direction.

We know our final destination (and if He chooses to reveal, we'll also know our lil' pit stop destinations in between this journey) but sometimes we are just too anxious to know if we're on the right track.

Why? Because, we just want to be in control. But remember, we NEVER are in control. We can't control when we are born, where we are born and who we meet...neither can we control when we die, what happens to us before death and what happens to us after life.

Yup, as long as we walk with Him, know that "...the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)

"But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love..."
Psalm 33:18

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