Maneuvers - No. 59
It’s Okay to
Not Know
What do you do when you encounter a question you don’t know the answer to, friend?
Do you immediately turn to Google? Brush the question off and ignore it? Wrack your brain trying to figure it out yourself?
Those are all natural responses. After all, God made us to crave answers. There’s something deep inside us that wants to figure things out.
King Solomon noticed this and said: “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings” (Proverbs 25:2, NIV).
There’s something so fascinating–even exhilarating–about uncovering answers to life’s tough questions.
But what do we do when we can’t figure things out? How do we handle it when we don’t understand what God is doing, or why he made us the way he did, or why life hurts so much sometimes?
Our craving for answers can make it so hard to rest in that space of not knowing.
It forces us to ask ourselves: Can I love God more than I love answers?
Today, Holy Spirit is gently showing us how to trust him in that place of uncertainty and how to experience him deeply in our unanswered curiosity.
Come, let’s listen…
01.
The Message
“I like the way you think–how you wonder, how you imagine. For I have made you to ruminate and question. I have made you to experiment and explore. I have made you to be curious–desire learning. I have made you to want to figure things out.
“But I have a question for you–have you thought about what it is about not knowing things that frustrates you most? Do you know why your not knowing things makes you feel unqualified? Do you know why not knowing makes you feel small? (Why don’t you like to feel small?)
“With all the ideas offered around you–the ways to take in information in this world–remember that it is okay to not have an answer to every question. It is okay to notice mystery–and be astounded by it. It is okay to ponder things that confuse you and make you feel like you know less about them than when you began.
“Because consider this…
“Isn’t it wonderful to not have to carry the world on your shoulders? Isn’t it good to have work that is yours to do and not the work of anyone else? Do not be filled with condemnation towards yourself for not having the same talents, the same strengths, as another. I broke the mold when I made you. I break it every time I make a daughter and every time I make a son. You are perfectly created, with the perfect aptitude, the perfect qualifications…for being you. Do not waste your days with a distaste for yourself, a belief that you are lacking.
“Keep dreaming, child. Keep wondering. Keep finding me, and delighting in me. Over and over again.”
02.
Listen
Holy Spirit’s words today give us freedom to be who he made us to be. Freedom to wonder and question. What’s your response to that freedom? Let’s pull out our journals and write a prayer to the Lord.
03.
Think
“Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out” (Romans 11:33, MSG).
1. What questions do you wrestle with? Why is it uncomfortable for you to not know the answers? What fuels your desire to have things all figured out?
2. Which parts of yourself do you struggle to accept? Where do you feel inadequate or frustrated with yourself?
3. What would it take for you to be able to rest in the uncertainty–in the not knowing? What would it take for you to gladly accept how God created you?
04.
Trust
Those of us who wrestle with deep questions can take heart knowing Scripture is full of people who did the same.
In Exodus 3-4, we see God in a burning bush calling Moses to deliver his people out of Egypt. But Moses had some questions and objections…
• “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11, NIV).
• “What shall I tell them?” (Exodus 3:13b, NIV).
• “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” (Exodus 4:1, NIV).
• “I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10b, NIV).
Let’s view this situation from Moses’ perspective… What emotions was he likely feeling during this encounter with God? How did his uncertainty and insecurity affect him?
Can you relate to Moses in these chapters? We’ve all faced moments in our lives when we’ve asked similar questions… questions about who we are, what others will think or say, and what the best course of action is.
But how did God respond to Moses?
Let’s read Exodus 3-4 and write out every one of Moses’ questions and objections as if we ourselves were having a conversation with God. Underneath each one, let’s write down God’s answer from Scripture as if he were speaking directly to you. Here’s an example:
Moses: Who am I to do what you’ve called me to do? I’m not qualified. I’m not enough.
God: I will be with you, son, daughter. I will confirm my calling.
Now that we’ve finished writing these things down, let’s spend time meditating on his answers to us.
Breathe in slowly… and breathe out slowly… One more time… Let’s allow our hearts to focus on Jesus. His love. His righteousness. His faithfulness. His compassion. His majesty.
What does his presence feel like right now? Is it enough? Despite the questions, despite the not knowing?
Let’s tell the Lord he’s enough…
05.
Pray
Lord, thank you for giving me this desire to find answers to my questions, to figure out the “why.” But I need you so much more than I need answers. You are enough for me.
I love your presence. I love your character, even when I don’t fully understand your ways. I love how you love me and delight in me, how you shaped me so carefully, how you give me specific purpose. Thank you.
My whole life is yours. Fix my eyes on you and teach me to trust you through the uncertainty and the pain. Help me be okay with feeling small–because I know you are big enough to hold me.
I love you, Jesus. You delight me.
In your precious name I pray, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
