The Lutheran High School of Kansas City will be providing devotions for use during your daily Bible time. Today's Devotion is based on 1 John Chapter 3, verse 2.
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (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 in (Matthew 18:3), “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” 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 in (John 14:1), “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”, 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.
Prayer
Lord, we also bring before you prayers for baby Eli Ransburg, Ali Sanchez and Bentley Matties, Suzan Mikeska, Barbara Wollberg, KC Gloe, Pastor Paul Schult, Mr. and Mrs. Schultz and baby Stephen, Mrs. Rodriguez, All those infected and dealing with Coronavirus, Nursing home patients with no visits from family and friends during this time as well as those working in nursing homes and the class of 2020. Please be with all those we have mentioned and those who remain on our hearts and minds. In your name we pray, Amen.
