0429 恩慈的不確定性
…將來如何，還未顯明…《約翰一書 3:2》
我們的天然傾向是要非常精確，總是試圖準確地預測接下來會發生什麼，以至於我們視不確定是一件壞事。我們認為我們必須達到某個預定的目標，但那不是靈命的本質。靈命的本質是我們對我們的不確定是確定的，因此，我們不紮根。我們的常識說：「好吧，如果我處於那種情況下會怎麼樣？」我們不能假設自己置身於我們從未經歷過的任何情境中。
確定性是常識生活的標誌——優雅的不確定性是屬靈生活的標誌。對神的確定意味着在我們一切道路上都不確定，不知道明天會發生什麼；這通常是以悲傷的嘆息來表達，但它應該是一種屏息以待的表達。我們不確定下一步，但我們確定神。我們捨棄自己給神，並完成祂賦予我們最近的任務，祂就立即開始以驚喜充滿我們的生活。當我們僅僅成為某種特定信仰的倡導者或捍衛者時，我們裡面的某些東西就會死去。那不是相信神——那只是相信我們有關祂的信仰。耶穌說：「你們若不迴轉，變成小孩子的樣式……」（馬太福音 18:3），屬靈生命就是孩童的生命。我們不是不確定神，只是不確定祂接下來要做什麼。如果我們的確定性只在我們的信仰中，我們就會產生一種自以為是的感覺，變得過於挑剔，並被我們認為我們的信仰是完整和確定的這個觀點所限制。但當我們與神有正確的關係時，生活就會充滿自發的、喜樂的不確定性和期待。耶穌說「你們也當信我」（約翰福音 14:1），而不是「信關於我的某些事」。把一切都留給祂，祂如何來到，那將是榮耀而恩慈的不確定，但你可以確定祂會來，要對祂保持忠誠。
來自章伯斯的智慧
如果在我們裡面所有敗壞中只有一根信心的繩索，神也會抓住那一根。《不知往何處去》
0429 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.
WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS
If there is only one strand of faith amongst all the corruption within us, God will take hold of that one strand. Not Knowing Whither, 888 L