Trusting in the Midst of the Unknown

I am one of those people that always likes to know what is coming around the corner. In fact, I can get extremely anxious when I don't know what is going to happen next. For instance, ever since childhood, I find myself trying to find out what I can expect to get on Christmas Day. I still remember sneaking into my parents closet and finding the portable CD player that I would be receiving the next week. I still was extremely excited when I opened it, and I made certain that the one that was giving the gift knew that I appreciated it, but I knew that it was coming.
(NOTE: I am not advocating the sneaking and opening of presents before they are given - children, do not try this at home.)

All this is to say that my personality really likes to know what is coming around the corner...to a fault. However, when we allow God to be in control, He does things in His time and in His way. The unknown surrounds us. You feel the presence of the Lord, and you know that He is working; but it is clouded in the unknown. This is one of the most beautiful times in the Christian's life. Yes, it is difficult and possibly frustrating and even unbearable. But it is here that Faith blossoms into a relational wonder between God and His children. When the outcome of a situation is visible and the unknown is discernible, there is very little faith required. Here, trusting in God simply means that you are knowledgeable of what God is doing and you will comply and follow Him. There is nothing wrong with this situation, and it is how many of the moments of our Christian life occur. But when you find yourself in the great unknown, and God's work and moving is cloudy and hidden in mystery, Faith is a much larger concept. Trusting in God just went from complying with what He is doing to completely placing your life in His hands. You must believe that He truly has the best plan for your life in His hands. Questions like, what will God do next? where does God want me to be? how can I serve? flood through your mind, and each time the answer is Unknown. Faith shows us that even though it is unknown to us, God does Know! He has always known and had it laid out and planned.

The Unknown has now become beautiful...It not only reveals how I can trust in the Lord, but it also displays in utter complexity how God is Faithful, Wise, Strong, Loving, and bigger than anything that I could ever know. Psalm 139 describes God's intimate knowledge and presence. "If I say, 'Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night.' Even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You." (v.11,12).

My Prayer: God, thank you for every unknown in my life. I have faith that You know. I will follow You into the uncertain and trust that Your will be done. God, let me experience Your hand as you guide me into the beautiful Unknown.