Things change abruptly, plans fail, dreams are diminished, bad things happen. Without warning. And definitely without our permission.
In an instance, everything that made sense can be gone forever. It is in that uncertain place, the desolate feeling of the unknown. Weaknesses are uncovered.
Yet God guides our hand even in the darkness.
Yesterday, last week, maybe even last year for you, your life seemed so sure. Secure. You had a plan. You had your list of goals mapped out with objectives, charts, and deadlines. A before B and analyzed the way C would function before D could be implemented.
You knew without a doubt, where you were going and how you were going to get there. Until that sudden heartbreak. Until that ill-advised business move. Until that unforeseen hardship. Until, everything that worked didn’t.
Until the uncertain place.
When you don’t know if you’re coming or going. Breathing or breathless. In limbo. Close enough to touch or too far out of reach. In transition. In pursuit. Nothing is settled and you can’t settle for anything.
You thought by now you would have it all together. You would be at a certain place, with a certain life. But, all you have left is uncertainty.
You have no control.
And you’re tired of waiting on a God whose promises you are yet to see.
You struggle with belief. You’ve done all the right things, in all the right order. You’ve become the best person you’re going to be for this moment. You’ve read every self-help book, prayed, fasted, and meditated. Forgave people you thought you never could. Let go of all those bad habits people told you were wrong. Meticulously cleared out spaces for the “healthy things” to reside.
But, you’re feeling empty. You wonder whether the trash you cleared out was actually an issue at all.
The only thing that stepping out on faith has yielded an immediate return on is failure, rejection, and judgment. You search for a sign that the darkness is over or near.
Could it be the truth of it is: there is no bright side?
That the only way we really learn is by trying and failing a thousand times. Letting go of our fear for fearlessness, humbling ourselves in the process. Strapping on wisdom’s ammunition and surrendering our own way. Knowing, eventually, our redemption will arrive.
Darkness is only for a period of time.
Sometimes life doesn’t work how we think it’s suppose to or how it use to be. What we had when we began, how we started, and who started with us will matter. One day we’ll realize none of that stuff that didn’t work will matter. But, the lessons we gain will.
We can’t arrange how God will bless us, it will happen when we least imagine.
It is my prayer for us that we become closer to being at peace with ourselves. Holding true to the certain promises of God, even in an uncertain place.
– Dominique Mack
