Uncertainty
Uncertainty is an unwelcome guest in our hearts and minds. Several years ago I was faced with uncertainty in the life of my son. He was struggling. Everything seemed to be going great, then he contracted meningitis. This led to a chain of events that started a downward spiral. He regained his health, but seemed to be lost, trying to discover his path. As his mother, I was heartbroken for I could not see a future for my son. There were many struggles and my hopes for my son seemed to be dashed day after day. Peace, that rest of heart, mind and spirit, found no place within me.
Because he had little money, my son created handmade gifts that Christmas and the picture you see was the gift he gave me. He had written a scripture and sponge-painted over it. I confess, I looked at the art and thought to myself, “The sponge-painting is so dark I can hardly see what it says.” I thanked him for his thoughtful gift and hung it on the wall.
As I looked at it one day, I realized that God had sent me a special message. The scripture, almost hidden under the sponge-painting, were words spoken by God and delivered by Jeremiah to God’s people who had been exiled and were in Babylonian captivity. God said to them, “For I know the plans I have for you to give you a future and hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
God showed me that even though the words seemed hidden and I could not see them clearly, the fact remained that they were there. As I thought about that truth I understood God’s special message to me. Although I could not see a future for my son, although he seemed to be in captivity, the fact remained that God had a plan, a purpose, a future – and this gave me hope.
Proverbs 20:24 (NLT) states, “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” When I first read this verse I had to pause and think. It became clear that the key to this verse is stated at the beginning. “The Lord directs our steps…”
The inner turmoil I was experiencing was actually a result of trying to solve the difficulties myself – trying to chart my son’s path. I was not trusting God’s Word that He had a plan and purpose for my son. Only when I “gave up” and placed my son’s future in the hands of God did I experience peace. God’s plan for my son was quite different than I had ever imagined. But he is happy, productive and following God’s leadership. By understanding that Sovereign God establishes our plans, and trusting in His goodness, His love, His faithfulness, and all that He is, I experience the “peace that passes all understanding.”
Before time began, God established His plans for us and sealed them with an eternal covenant of love. As we focus on God, He will “establish the work” of our hands. All glory to God who establishes an eternal peace even in times of uncertainty.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17 (NIV)
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing from the heart. ?
Thank you for the powerful reminder that God will direct out path. We may be struggling at times, but He is always there.