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Living With Uncertainty
Eric Hoey, South Bay Presbyterian Church
 The
anxiety from uncertainty is amazing. I have vivid memories of graduation day. I had
just walked up the stage to receive my hard earned diploma. Deep within me was a
sense of accomplishment and joy - the kind of moment you soak up and enjoy along
with a warm summer day.
And
then it hit me. I was no longer a student. The time had come to open the door leading
into the uncharted territory of "real life." You know, the place that leads
to higher learning, marriage, children, job security, church involvement. . .the
land of promise.
But
instead of charging boldly into my future, I felt this sense of fear and anxiety
crept over me like a black cloud. What was supposed to be the most memorable day
of my life suddenly had shades of that feeling you get when the professor asks you
for your solution to the homework. I became miserable. I had waited for six years
to see this day come, but my feelings of joy and accomplishment were quickly replaced
with. . .uncertainty.
When
we graduate from college, we are often faced with some of the most difficult changes
and decisions in our life. No wonder uncertainty lurks at the door for many of us.Change
after college is inevitable. How we cope with these changes will determine whether
we find any meaning and fulfillment in life out there in "the real world".
I
wonder if Joshua and the rest of the Israelites ever felt the same way when God called
them to conquer their new land. Moses, their great leader, was gone. Joshua, the
young understudy of Moses, was now called by God to accomplish the task of moving
the nation into the Promised Land. They, like many of us today, had to transition
from being wanderers to conquerors. Godís abundant provision of manna during the
wilderness years had to be replaced by hard physical labor. As the nation stood at
Kadesh Barnea, the boundary of the promised land, they faced the passageway into
the next phase of their storied history.
Scripture
tells us how God commissioned the leader of the Israelite nation to take His people
into the land chosen for them. For Joshua, this represented his time of transition
and uncertainty. Joshua chronicled this turning point in his life in the opening
chapter of his book. I believe his narrative contains at least four timeless principles
we can use to help us face the uncertainties waiting for us in our post-college years.
"Be
strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore
to their forefathers to give them." (1:6)
1.
Face your uncertainties, and focus on God's purpose. God knew Joshua's fears and
uncertainties. He also knew what would motive him to respond. Sometimes in the midst
of uncertainty, the Enemy wants us to freeze like spellbound animals before the headlights
of oncoming traffic. We drop out of church because of discouragement. We remove ourselves
from the accountability of others. We procrastinate in applying for a new job or
pursuing a career. Pondering the "forever" of marriage can cause us not
to commit.
Every
time I read the above text, I sense it is telling me not to run away from the uncertainty
of my future, but face it with confidence. God not only tells Joshua to face his
fears, but he also reminds Joshua of the reason Israel is going into the promised
land in the first place. He showed Joshua the purpose for the task.
Too
often after college, we get caught up pursuing our own purposes. Have you ever stopped
and asked God to be glorified with your new career? Have you ever prayed that He
affirm His purposes and will for your life? I know that when my own desires get in
the way of the greater purpose, I build myself up for a great fall. I constantly
have to get on my hands and knees and pray: Not my will be done, but thy will be
done.
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant
Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be
successful wherever you go."(v.7)
2.
Follow God's Word, and fulfill your purpose. In a world filled with uncertainty,
the Word of God needs to be the moral base on which we stand, the lamp unto our feet.
We need to have a constant diet of biblical truth. If you are not in a Bible study
now is the time to begin. Without a daily intake of God's Word, our souls suffer
from spiritual starvation.
Notice
that being strong and courageous is a result of obedience to all of God's commandments.
Only His whole counsel will provide the proper nourishment for strength and courage
in decision making about life. I firmly believe that the wisdom gained from this
principle will help us face our deepest fears and uncertainties. If I am grounded
in God's Word, I should make the right decisions needed to fulfill my own purpose,
and ultimately His purpose.
"Do
not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night,
so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous
and successful." (v.8)
3.
Proclaim God's principles, and ponder its promises. I have been told that a cow actually
has four stomachs. After it eats a full stomach of food, it can then sit under a
tree and regurgitate the contents of the first stomach and chew it once more. This
is actually known as "chewing the cud". Wouldn't that be great if we were
like cows when it comes to feeding upon the wisdom given to us in the Bible? That
means we can be anywhere and at anytime "chew the Word of God" over and
over again.
Joshua
took his greatest comfort from God's Word. He realized that if it became the very
fabric of his life, his leadership would reflect righteous and wise values. This
gave the people of Israel great confidence. They knew their leader's absolute source
of strength and direction came from above. Do the people around you know that you
are not the source of your strength and direction?
This
verse also talks about success. To God, a person's success does not lie in worldly
things: cars, lavish houses, high incomes, fine cuisine. . .but in the application
of His Word in the lives of His people. It is acting upon the things of faith and
love, not just knowing the things of faith and love. Paul pleaded with the church
at Colosse to "walking worthy of the gospel of the Lord" (Col. 1:10).
"Have
I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,
for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (v.9)
4.
Release your anxieties, and rest in God's presence. Two words that are commonly associated
with uncertainty are terrified and discouraged. Joshua had an incredible task ahead
of him. In a similar way, life after college will be the most difficult task you
have ever encountered. God never said life after college would be a walk in the park.
When
you are terrified and discouraged always remember that God's presence is with you
wherever you go. He deeply desires to walk with you, guide you, comfort you, and
give you a confidence and a hope. Take heart. All the courage and strength we need
to face an uncertain road ahead has provided for us in the pages of the Bible. Walk
with Him and you will find the key to that door.
(Rev. Eric Hoey is the Senior Pastor of South Bay Presbyterian Church in Torrance,
a church ministering primarily to Asian Americans. Eric started the AACF group at
Cal Poly Pomona in as a student in 1982. From 1987-89 he served as a volunteer campus
minister at USC. He earned his M.Div. at the Talbot School of Theology in 1991. He's
also an awesome pastry chef)
Front Page
1...Living With Uncertainty
2...The Championship Team:
AACF
3...The In's and Out's of
Telecommuting
4...Profile of Harvest Community
Church
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