Have you noticed how much we seek certitude in this life? We want to know what is sure, what can be counted on. We want to know — for certain — what is right, true, exact, precise. The facts. Sometimes our quest for certitude leads us onto paths that lead nowhere or into dark places. We fight for what we think is right, only to wind up fighting the wrong fight. We become indignantly righteous, tearing down others because they can’t see or refuse to see how certain we are and therefore how right we are. If we are not careful, it can lead us to belittling others, treating them as enemies simply because they don’t agree with us. We can even, if we think in some way our right-ness is divine, to demonizing those who don’t agree. We begin to think we are superior and therefore deserve to attack, or even eliminate those who disagree. We can get to a point where we believe we possess the sole source of objective truth. It can lead to the language of expulsion and exclusivity, of extremism and polarization, and the claim that, because God is on our side, God is not on yours. Case in point: our political environment today.
But in the end, is there anything we can be certain of? What do we know today, that will be true decades from now? One Church renewal organization I follow has as one of their guiding principles that in the end, they could be wrong – a principle of humility and openness. If you are reading this, there are two things that you can be certain of: 1. That you were born and, 2. That you will die. And everything else – everything that goes on between those two certainties needs to be lived through faith.
Remember, faith is being certain of what we cannot see or prove (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is not knowing for certain. Faith is clinging to the promises of our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier. Faith is holding tightly onto the hand of a loving Father, trusting him to take care of us, to lead us and keep us safe. Faith is taking each step of each day not trusting in what we think we know, but instead trusting in the Father’s Love – for us, for everyone He’s created and for everything thing he has created. Faith is walking, living, as if it is true that God loves us – you, me, the whole world – so much that he would rescue, redeem and save us by sending his Son to die for us.
Faith. Do not walk in life with certitude. Do not spend your life seeking certitude. It only leads to anger, bitterness, narrow thinking and unloving acts. Instead, live by faith. Live each day clinging to your heavenly Father, trusting him only.
“Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all.” Proverbs 3:5-7
Good advice! Live by Faith!
