I Don't Know, and That's Okay

---

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Psalm 119:105 (KJV)

---

I Don't Know
...
And That's Okay

I don't know.  This has become something of a mantra for me lately.  I'm calling it my "go to" answer.

If I've talked with you recently, you've probably heard me say it.  As a matter of fact, I've probably said it multiple times to you.  I've not known answers to questions like, "When will we start normal services again?"  or "Do you think we'll be able to get back into Hedstrom anytime soon?"

Thankfully, some of those questions have been solved and we are starting to get going (see below for details).  Though the cloud may be lifting, I'd still say that life is overall still pretty foggy.

The Coronavirus has had us living on a day to day basis in many ways.  It has rudely interrupted our lives and turned the world upside down in so many ways.  It has brought government protocols and event cancellations which make planning for the future very difficult.

I don't know for sure, but I bet you have been in the same boat.  You've probably had to say to the kids, "I don't know when we can do ..."  or "I don't know if we can..." 

Other questions can be added to the pile: What will my wedding be like?  What would happen if I got the virus?  Will our economy recover from these curve flattening measures?

The answer to most all of these questions is the simple "idk."  (or, if you want to keep up with the cool kids, insert your shruggy face emoji here)

The good news is that this is perfectly fine.  James tells us so when he says, "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow... Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'"

James exhorts us to live in the now.  We can be the ultimate existentialist and exist in this moment.  Sure, you can make plans, but keep in mind that while "Man poses, God disposes."  And that requires us to live by faith right here, right now.

There are times when we must leave the future to the Lord.  Planning may be impossible and we must merely live day to day, moment by moment.  Though He may not reveal what is ahead, this moment of "now" can be ruled by what He has revealed.  In this sliver of time, we can be content and obedient.

The Psalmist expressed this quite well when he said, "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." 

A foot-lamp in those days was not much in comparison to our Maglite flashlights today.  You could not see down the path to what was ahead.  The ancient lantern would give only enough light to see the next step.  

In sum, the Psalmist reassured his singers that God desires this moment to be lived fully and faithfully.  There may be secrets He is keeping from us, but He has not left us in the dark when it comes to this very second of our lives.

All in all, the "I don't knows" we confess are humble admissions that the future is in God's hands.  They can be wonderful expressions of faith that is trusting in His divine care.  What's more, these "I don't knows" can be supplemented with what we do know in the 10 commandments. 

​

Join us in the Worship of Christ!
Jesus is precious.  We'd love for you to join us as we worship our Lord & Savior this Lord's Day at 10:30 am

Join on Location
57 Maine Street
Mifflin, OH

Join our Live Stream
via our
Facebook Page

Midweek Virtual Study
Our first run virtual Bible study series was a great success!  It was so good we're doing it again.  We'd love to have you join us on Wednesdays at 7 pm via our GoToMeeting video conferencing.  Contact us for details if you'd like to join!