He did it again. Got me good:
Our natural inclination is to be so precise—trying always to forecast accurately what will happen next—that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We think that we must reach some predetermined goal, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life. The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. Consequently, we do not put down roots. Our common sense says, “Well, what if I were in that circumstance?” We cannot presume to see ourselves in any circumstance in which we have never been.
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 in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises. When we become simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God—it is only believing our belief about Him. Jesus said, “. . . unless you . . . become as little children . . .” (Matthew 18:3 ). The spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what He is going to do next. If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self-righteousness, become overly critical, and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled. But when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, “. . . believe also in Me” (John 14:1 ), not, “Believe certain things about Me”. Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in—but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him.
- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest
(from Utmost.org)
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I like the idea that we don’t believe in our beliefs, but it always leaves me wondering, “then what about God am I certain about?” and the only real answer, according to Oswald, is that He exists. I feel very relieved at that thought. It takes away (what I consider to be) the ugly exclusivity of Christianity. But I wonder then why Oswald is so eager to call himself a “Christian” and to ascribe to a set of doctrines. Aren’t those just beliefs? Do children write out giant statements of belief in their crayons? It seems contradictory, and I wonder if he only means it within a very narrow band of beliefs.
I feel like I already live in a state of uncertainty, in that I usually don’t know where I’ll be working after my present job. As I work contract to contract, I have had to learn to let God worry about what’s next. But I also see that I never really give things to God 100%. I try. And maybe for a second I do, but this makes me desire living in certain uncertainty all the time. Great encouragement.