It is more difficult to follow God when circumstances seem to point to the fact that he isn’t interested in being followed or seems to be waving you off. And he’s not intending to reward your efforts. Uncertainty leaves you confused as to how to approach God. He’s so quiet. He’s so still. He seems so distant.
The Bible makes it look simple. God kept appearing to say, "Hang in there."When things aren’t great, it’s tempting to think he is not interested in the details of your life. This raises two questions: What is God up to when he is so quiet and What are you to do in the meantime?
God does his greatest, his most significant, and his deepening works individually during times of uncertainty. God is not absent during these extreme times. He has been more active than at any other time. In each example in Scripture when men and women’s lives were interrupted or the familiar predictable things were wrenched away or sometimes when the structure of their lives disintegrated and it seemed like God had fallen asleep at the wheel-and in the middle of what felt like total chaos, but He always showed up in ways they could only marvel at.
When you read and watch their faithfulness and wonder-what if they had abandoned God? You can ponder on what they would have missed for God was at work and they would have never known.
From God’s perspective, uncertain times are opportunities to do something in you. He can do more in you during times of uncertainty than He could ever do in the normal 9 to 5, everything-the-way-it-ought-to-be times. Why? All are idolaters at heart. Each have a natural tendency to lean on and trust in the things they’ve created or has been created by someone else. Such as: your job status, your businesses, your finances, your 401K, other investments, your network of friends and associates, your families, and your health. All of these things represent STRUCTURE, familiarity, and order. Nothing wrong with that and it is the image of God in you that motivates you to create order from chaos. But many become entangled in comfort zones that wean you away from dependency on the Father.
So, when God comes along and shakes your structures or allows you to be shaken, it’s easy to panic. And in your state of panic . . .he has your undivided attention.
When God has your undivided attention, you are positioned to grow.
Suddenly, what’s real, what’s important becomes the focus of your attention. It is then, when He is all you have, that you discover He is all you need. From God’s perspective, uncertainty creates opportunities to do something through you as well.
For God to accomplish something great in and through you, you must respond correctly to times of uncertainty.
Assume God’s hand in the uncertainty you’re facing and accept the uncertainty as coming from God. For God to accomplish what he wants to accomplish in your uncertainty, you must see him in it and respond accordingly.
Uncertainty is a fact of life. It is not evidence of God’s inactivity. This is not the time to doubt. This is the time to follow closer than ever. The Good news is your heavenly Father is the master of uncertainty. He does this all the time. He is in control. And he has something in mind for you, your family, and his kingdom.
You can trust him. Live confident that God is with you. Pray. Seek. And Follow.
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