The decision had been narrowed down to two schools for our granddaughter Emma*, a rising seventh-grader. Which would be the best choice for next year–Willow Hills or Sheridan? She’d taken the tests and been accepted by both; each offered its own set of benefits.
Our son Derek and daughter-in-law Heidi received input from others, but their comments only added to the list of pros and cons. No definitive answer came to light.
Emma spent a school day shadowing another student at Sheridan. “It was OK,” she reported afterward. “The teachers were nice.” But nothing she’d seen or experienced had convinced her, “This is the place I want to be!”
All through this process Derek, Heidi and Emma (as well as little sister Madison) had been praying God would make clear the best choice. The deadline was nearing and the uncertainty felt like a heavy weight upon their minds and hearts.
No doubt you’ve faced similar decisions. It’s not a comfortable place to be.
So why does God allow such distress? Why don’t the answers to our prayers become evident immediately?
There are a number of reasons. Among them:
Uncertainty reveals the frailty of self-reliance.
We can’t see the big picture, and to be honest, very little in our lives is under our full control. Times of uncertainty press us into a place of trusting God [1].
We do well to affirm he’s our devoted heavenly Father. We can trust that what he’s lovingly planned is exactly what we’d choose for ourselves if we could see the entire storyline [2].
So our son and his family (Nana and Papa too!) waited and prayed. All we could do was trust our faithful God to reveal his good and wise plan in his good time.
Uncertainty provides a platform for God to display his grace, wisdom, and power.
These attributes and more become apparent as the answer unfolds and we see his lovingkindness in the plan he’s designed, the wisdom behind it, and the power he’s wielded to make events play out just so.
In the meantime, we must realize the uncertainty we face is only apparent uncertainty. Our future and our provision are certain to God. We’d also do well to remember that “uncertain seasons are often some of the most powerful moments we experience with God” [3].
Uncertainty allows us to experience God in fresh ways as we:
- Sense his presence more profoundly during difficulty. Pat Chen calls it liquid love [4] — perfect imagery for the warm and comforting presence of our Heavenly Father.
- See his unfailing love on display, even as we struggle—through the kindness of others, the beauty of creation, an encouraging scripture, and more.
- Recognize his lavish goodness in the eventual, right-on-time provision.
The Sunday after the two acceptance letters arrived for Emma, our family just happened to sit in church in front of a couple with a son who attends Willow Hills.
Both the parents and he shared enthusiastically about the school. They also knew students at Sheridan and expressed concerns that our son and daughter-in-law hadn’t heard before.
The young man, several years older than Emma, spoke directly to her, giving her reasons why he’s loved Willow Hills.
Several days after that encounter, Emma and her dad visited Willow Hills for a tour. “Impressive!” he declared. “I like it!” she affirmed.
And so, just as we’d all prayed, God made the decision clear, and the weight lifted.
When have you faced a season of uncertainty? What helped you to triumph over the doubts and questions? Please share in the comment section below!
*All names changed, including the schools.
[1] https://serenityinsuffering.com/4-ways-to-trust-god-in-uncertainty/
[2] Katilyn Bouchillon, contributor to Take Heart, 210.
[3] Jon Bloom, Not by Sight, 57.
[4] Intimacy with the Beloved, 81-82.
Image credits: http://www.pexels.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.canva.com (3).
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