Gracious Uncertainty

. . . it has not yet been revealed what we shall be . . . —1 John 3:2

Our natural inclination is to be so precise—trying always to forecast accurately what will happen next—that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We think that we must reach some predetermined goal, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life. The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. Consequently, we do not put down roots. Our common sense says, “Well, what if I were in that circumstance?” We cannot presume to see ourselves in any circumstance in which we have never been.

Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life—gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises. When we become simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God—it is only believing our belief about Him. Jesus said, “. . . unless you . . . become as little children . . .” (Matthew 18:3). The spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what He is going to do next. If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self-righteousness, become overly critical, and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled. But when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, “. . . believe also in Me” (John 14:1), not, “Believe certain things about Me”. Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in—but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him.

---

未有確據而安之若素之恩典

將來如何，還未顯明。 （約壹三2）

我們本性喜歡一五一十地計算得清清楚楚，於是視未確定得事為壞事。我們總愛假設一個可達的目標；其實，屬靈生命的本質不是這樣的。屬靈生命的本質是在未確定的時候，便心裡堅定；因此，我們不必到處築巢，安身立命。理智會說：[唔，假如我在那情況之下……]但我們根本不能置身於自己尚未經歷過的情況。

安穩是屬世生活的表記，而在不穩定中靠主恩安詳，是屬靈生命的標誌。相信神，就意味著我們對生活各方面的事情不肯定，因為我們不曉得一天將會發生什麼事。這句話一般都是存著愁嘆來說；其實，這應該是一句滿有希望的說話才對。我們雖不知下一步如何，但我們相信神。

那隻要將自己一切交給神，並儘上本份，神就會使我們每時每刻充滿驚喜。可是，我們若只高舉一些教條，死就進來了；我們不是相信神，而是相信他的信念。耶穌說：[你們若不……變成小孩子的樣式……。 ]屬靈生命是赤子的生命。我們對神並非不肯定，乃是不肯定他下一步怎樣做。若我們只對信仰肯定，就是把自己抬高，變得嚴厲自尊，只對自己的見解下結論；但我們若與神有正常的關係，生命就充滿自然的、歡樂的期望，因為對未來的事，並沒有把握。

耶穌說：[你們也當信我。 ]他不是說：[你們要信某些關於我的事。 ]完全交託他吧！雖然不知道他何時臨到，但他必然會臨到。持守對他的忠貞吧。

祈禱◆主啊，為著過去的那段時間，我敬拜你。你讓我看見那許多的人，榮耀地與你進入正常的關係！它是那麼奇妙，使我難有足夠的言詞去讚美你。