By: Elizabeth Haarberg

Navigating the Mystery

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

The unknown is a hard place to traverse. Within the unknown future is the mystery of God. Getting comfortable in the unknown is a lifelong journey. Also within the unknown, anxiety about the future is also waiting.

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:31-34 English Standard Version

God does not worry or fret over anything. His mind is wired differently than ours.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 English Standard Version

The comfort in the unknown is that God has the best intentions for us.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 28:11 English Standard Version

If we truly believe that God is for us, our desire to know how things will end up eventually dissipates into peace.

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 English Standard Version

Peace is possible when we surrender to the Lord’s plans and truly trust Him. He may even give us insight into the mystery. 

“Jesus answered them, ‘To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.'” Matthew 13:11 Amplified

“He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.”
Ephesians 1:9 Amplified

Preserving the peace that God gives us is critical in decreasing the anxiety of the unknown. Stay centered on His Word and promises and the unknown pieces will work themselves out. He has our best interest at heart.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO