As I pondered on the recent local tragedy that killed 5 people in a plane crash - that left a husband destitute after losing his wife and 3 kids, my heart sunk tremendously for this man. The Story ...
http://www.kotv.com/news/popular/?id=138139
Did Mr. Lunn knew what his day would bring forth? He is suddenly thrusted to a different world in an instant. A world without his loving spouse and kids whom he had held so dearly all these years. Suddenly they were gone in a flash ... as if they were none. None but the howling of the wind that blew the scattered ashes of what once was. What a tragedy! What a loss! What a waste! How does one go on in life like this? Do you sulk further down into depression and eventually end yourself, or do you rise up to find the strength to go on living? And what is there to live for without your family? How can life be so cruel, so unfair? All these thoughts came racing to my mind but led me to one conclusion: That we are never certain of anything in this natural world. Nothing is certain and all could be lost in an instant. Money and wealth could be lost the next day, your family that gives you love and security can be wiped out, possessions could be stolen, and the only certain thing that could be left in the natural life is nothing. Certainty is Nothing, and Nothing is Certain. But the beauty of uncertainty is the graciousness of it as we abandon ourselves to the spiritual life: that we are indeed certain in our uncertainty. Oswald Chamber's My Utmost For His Highest devotional book is relevant for the topic, "The Graciousness Of Uncertainty".
"It doth not yet appear what we shall be." 1 John 3:2
Naturally, we are inclined to be so mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We imagine that we have to reach some end, but that is not the nature of spiritual life. The nature of spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty, consequently we do not make our nests anywhere. Common sense says - "Well, supposing I were in that condition . . ." We cannot suppose ourselves in any condition we have never been in. Certainty is the mark of the common-sense life: gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness, it should be rather an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, He packs our life with surprises all the time. When we become advocates of a creed, something dies; we do not believe God, we only believe our belief about Him. Jesus said, "Except ye become as little children." Spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, but uncertain of what He is going to do next. If we are only certain in our beliefs, we get dignified and severe and have the ban of finality about our views; but when we are rightly related to God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy.
"Believe also in Me," said Jesus, not - "Believe certain things about Me." Leave the whole thing to Him, it is gloriously uncertain how He will come in, but He will come. Remain loyal to Him.
http://www.kotv.com/news/popular/?id=138139
Did Mr. Lunn knew what his day would bring forth? He is suddenly thrusted to a different world in an instant. A world without his loving spouse and kids whom he had held so dearly all these years. Suddenly they were gone in a flash ... as if they were none. None but the howling of the wind that blew the scattered ashes of what once was. What a tragedy! What a loss! What a waste! How does one go on in life like this? Do you sulk further down into depression and eventually end yourself, or do you rise up to find the strength to go on living? And what is there to live for without your family? How can life be so cruel, so unfair? All these thoughts came racing to my mind but led me to one conclusion: That we are never certain of anything in this natural world. Nothing is certain and all could be lost in an instant. Money and wealth could be lost the next day, your family that gives you love and security can be wiped out, possessions could be stolen, and the only certain thing that could be left in the natural life is nothing. Certainty is Nothing, and Nothing is Certain. But the beauty of uncertainty is the graciousness of it as we abandon ourselves to the spiritual life: that we are indeed certain in our uncertainty. Oswald Chamber's My Utmost For His Highest devotional book is relevant for the topic, "The Graciousness Of Uncertainty".
"It doth not yet appear what we shall be." 1 John 3:2
Naturally, we are inclined to be so mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We imagine that we have to reach some end, but that is not the nature of spiritual life. The nature of spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty, consequently we do not make our nests anywhere. Common sense says - "Well, supposing I were in that condition . . ." We cannot suppose ourselves in any condition we have never been in. Certainty is the mark of the common-sense life: gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness, it should be rather an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, He packs our life with surprises all the time. When we become advocates of a creed, something dies; we do not believe God, we only believe our belief about Him. Jesus said, "Except ye become as little children." Spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, but uncertain of what He is going to do next. If we are only certain in our beliefs, we get dignified and severe and have the ban of finality about our views; but when we are rightly related to God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy.
"Believe also in Me," said Jesus, not - "Believe certain things about Me." Leave the whole thing to Him, it is gloriously uncertain how He will come in, but He will come. Remain loyal to Him.
