Glimpses of Glory John Chapter 14:2
Explaining God to Kids OR Perhaps Grownups

Living Well when Not Knowing - John Chapter 14:6

John 14:5-6 – “Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” 6a00d83451ee9f69e202e860ebe433200d

The three ‘I am’ statements in verse 6 are incredible in their significance and as a result, provide tremendous pointers to living a life in the Kingdom of God. Remember, the Kingdom of God is here and now because the King is here within us, so we have access to his Kingdom now.

Interestingly, it is Thomas (the doubting one) who initiates Jesus’ bold statement. And it is his question that I wanted to focus on in this post.

Not Knowing

We like to know things, don’t we? I sure do. I enjoy that feeling of being in control. Knowing what’s going to happen and/or where we are headed next helps us feel more in control. Control is often accompanied by a feeling of safety.

We SUMites know a lot about NOT knowing when it comes to the timeframe in which our partner might join us in following Jesus. Or if they ever will. Accordingly, lots of other things follow that not knowing. All the uncertainty about committing to activities and people at church? Or even attending church? What schools our kids might attend and on and on. It brings with it a lot of uncertainty.

The way to God gets a little muddy for we SUMites. We want our house to be full of God but can it when the partner we love doesn’t share our heart for God?

And so we wait. And wait some more.

Pressing in

Interestingly, I believe Jesus answers our questions as much as He does Thomas’. And I take great encouragement from observing Lynn’s life, Ann’s life and Dineen (retired co-founder) life. Amongst all the hurdles, challenges and waiting, they all chose to press into Jesus. And to keep pressing in. Because they chose to believe that he is true to his word: that he is the Way to the Father, he is the truth (John 1 tells us he is the Word) and the life, that is, he is the source of all we need.

All three of them have discovered the wonder and beauty of intimacy with Jesus and realised grace upon grace within their families and homes. No, it hasn’t been easy, but they made a choice to follow Jesus and He is always faithful to those who make that choice.

Let me close with a snippet of a prayer I prayed at church on Sunday. I pray this over all of us:

“Jesus, help us to become good at waiting. Waiting can be hard and often scary. Waiting for test results, a diagnosis, bones to heal, a job offer, or what’s in store for the next season, the next year. Teach us that it’s okay not to know. Fill us with more faith to wait upon you. To lean into the wait by seeking you first. You are the tree of life, the magnificent wise oak tree, help us hang out under your foliage while we wait … until you shine the light upon our path, produce the fruit in us for greater overflow. In Your loving and ever faithful Name. Amen”

Wait well, dear SUMites. Keep choosing Jesus every day.

Much love

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