The supposed need for certainty--nailing it down--is a burden, and unattainable goal. Those who try to saddle us with it might think it's a requirement, based on an isolated reading of James 1:5-8:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."
But doubts don't preclude us from answered prayers. If they did, how come Jesus answered a prayer in the face of not just doubt but unbelief in Mark 9? In the face of an entire crowd of unbelievers Jesus says, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
The man whose son is tortured by demons says, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” And then Jesus heals the boy.
Aimee, Thanks so much for this. I have found myself in the category of learning to live and embrace the uncertainty of life. The grey areas. Like you, for so long I thought it was black and white. I was taught that the Bible is black and white and you can find all the answers for life in the scriptures. God is in control, don’t question. I am in my mid 60s now and over the last decade I have had those thoughts challenged and honestly it’s freeing. The grey area is where I have grown learning to trust. Your words were just a confirmation to me of why I named my own Substack, Living In the Grey. We benefit so much from sharing our questions, doubts and curiosities.
Thank you Aimee for delving into the issue/question of uncertainty. My simplistic analysis to date of both scripture and my life reflect that “certainty” has most often resulted in a form of “arrogance” and “uncertainty” in “humility”.
I sit here this morning with my son struggling to detox from drugs and preparing to enter his third foray into addiction treatment. I so wish I had “the” answer….but must embrace the uncertainty of this journey.
I'm sorry, Bryan, that is something a parent never wants to imagine they have to do. But there you are, "with" your son, living out the answers. Thanks for taking the time to read this reflection.
Ecclesiastes became my favorite book of Scripture while I was in graduate school, studying for a PhD in History … helped me through the intellectual/spiritual challenges … and it was one of the first books I preached through in my first pastorate. Love that book!
Thanks Amy. The older I’ve gotten the less I know and the less certain I am about what I’ve thought I know. Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. That’s really the bottom line isn’t it? I’m certain of that for me.
Ecclesiastes is a fascinating book, and I thank you for adding the perspective of living out the answers to questions for which there are no apparent answers.
I don't recall the specifics of names right now, but do recall that some of the early church writers did not wait until they had all their faith together before answering their call, but went into ministry, the Church, the desert, etc. to seek it, to seek God with all they had, and to embrace the mystery.
The supposed need for certainty--nailing it down--is a burden, and unattainable goal. Those who try to saddle us with it might think it's a requirement, based on an isolated reading of James 1:5-8:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."
But doubts don't preclude us from answered prayers. If they did, how come Jesus answered a prayer in the face of not just doubt but unbelief in Mark 9? In the face of an entire crowd of unbelievers Jesus says, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
The man whose son is tortured by demons says, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” And then Jesus heals the boy.
Doubts are not an impediment for God.
I love that prayer, it's so honest and intimate. It's such an act of faith to get to that prayer.
I once did a whole Sunday morning series in the high school class titled Doubts for Sure.
Aimee, Thanks so much for this. I have found myself in the category of learning to live and embrace the uncertainty of life. The grey areas. Like you, for so long I thought it was black and white. I was taught that the Bible is black and white and you can find all the answers for life in the scriptures. God is in control, don’t question. I am in my mid 60s now and over the last decade I have had those thoughts challenged and honestly it’s freeing. The grey area is where I have grown learning to trust. Your words were just a confirmation to me of why I named my own Substack, Living In the Grey. We benefit so much from sharing our questions, doubts and curiosities.
This is so well put, and I love that title too!
Living in the Grey has to be one of the best titles I've ever heard.
Thanks Tim!
Thank you Aimee for delving into the issue/question of uncertainty. My simplistic analysis to date of both scripture and my life reflect that “certainty” has most often resulted in a form of “arrogance” and “uncertainty” in “humility”.
I sit here this morning with my son struggling to detox from drugs and preparing to enter his third foray into addiction treatment. I so wish I had “the” answer….but must embrace the uncertainty of this journey.
I'm sorry, Bryan, that is something a parent never wants to imagine they have to do. But there you are, "with" your son, living out the answers. Thanks for taking the time to read this reflection.
Bryan, Prayers for your family as you navigate this “uncertainty” of life.
Ecclesiastes became my favorite book of Scripture while I was in graduate school, studying for a PhD in History … helped me through the intellectual/spiritual challenges … and it was one of the first books I preached through in my first pastorate. Love that book!
I'm so glad it's in the Scriptures.
Thanks Amy. The older I’ve gotten the less I know and the less certain I am about what I’ve thought I know. Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. That’s really the bottom line isn’t it? I’m certain of that for me.
He is faithful.
Ecclesiastes is a fascinating book, and I thank you for adding the perspective of living out the answers to questions for which there are no apparent answers.
Thank you. This spoke volumes to me today. Really appreciate your work.
I don't recall the specifics of names right now, but do recall that some of the early church writers did not wait until they had all their faith together before answering their call, but went into ministry, the Church, the desert, etc. to seek it, to seek God with all they had, and to embrace the mystery.
Thanks for this Aimee