Gracious Uncertainty

“Don’t talk to Strangers!”  If you are a parent or have kids in your life,  you HAVE uttered this creed. Even if you aren't around kids now, I would bet you remember being given this commandment as a child.   But I have a suspicion that we have unconsciously continued to adhere to this childhood rule as adults.

I had the pleasure of having coffee and talking for hours with a  STRANGER!  (I wasn't sure it would be a pleasure until I took the risk to invite her for a face to face meeting.)  She also took a risk and drove 3 hours to meet me, also a complete stranger to her!   Some may say she was foolish and put herself in a vulnerable situation...Some would say I was foolish, opening my home to a woman I don’t even know and have never met.  And yet, with gracious uncertainty,  we both took the risk. 

 She wanted to hear what I had to say. I wanted to encourage her.  She wanted to hear my story and I desired to hear hers.  I can tell you, It was so worth the risk!  I have a new friend!  I sought to encourage and have been encouraged myself!  We are meeting again face to face in a few weeks...(my turn to drive!)

Oswald Chambers addressed “gracious uncertainty”

 with these words...

“Certainty is the mark of the common-sense life: gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways...we don’t know what a day may bring forth....We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God....He packs our life with surprises all the time...”

So I ask you...

*will you step outside your comfort zone? 

*Will you talk to that stranger?

*Will you befriend the one who believes differently than you?

 *Will you drive 3 hours to speak face to face with a stranger?

*Will you share your lunch hour with that co-worker who eats alone?

The “Don”t talk to strangers” creed is certainly a wise rule for unattended children to follow.  But we, as adults, need to put away childish things. Get outside of your comfort zones!  Talk to Strangers!  Listen to their stories and tell them yours!  There is a big world out there and God means to connect people in wild and mysterious ways and for His specific purposes.  

We need to be so certain of God that we are willing to step out of the bunkers of the safe and comfortable and into the great unknown with Him and with each other.  When we do, our God will surprise us. Our uncertainty will then graciously give way to the blessing of authentic community!

“Stop neglecting to show hospitality to strangers, for by showing hospitality some have had angels as their guests without being aware of it.”  Hebrews 13:2 (The Message)

“Certainty is the mark of the common sense life: 

Gracious Uncertainty is the mark of a Spiritual Life” 

Which life are YOU living?