Thoughts on the Sabbath – Sitting with uncertainty.
There’s a scripture that has often come to mind over the years as I’ve dealt with seemingly unfair challenges. Nephi (in the Book of Mormon) is asked whether he knows the “condescension of God”. He replies that he knows that He (God) “loveth His children, nevertheless I do not know the meaning of all things.”
An angel then proceeds to show Nephi the meaning of the “the condescension of God” in a vision. The simple acknowledgement from Nephi that he can’t quite grasp a particular concept is meaningful to me. It demonstrates that one does not have to be able to articulate the “whys” if one can simply believe the principle that God loves His children.
It is with that kind of faith that I am able to proceed through challenge after challenge in life. Knowing that God loves His children allows me to sit with the discomfort of not knowing the outcome of a particular trial.
Sitting with uncertainty is bearable when I know that God loves me and has my best interest at heart. That faith in God and His love equips me with hope that all things will work together for my good.
Parenting requires that I impart of that hope to my children. In this day and age, they grapple with issues I could barely have conceived when I grew up in the 90s. I’m constantly left scratching my head to find answers to the complexities of their problems. It doesn’t help that they feel so utterly alone in their trials.
I may not be able to offer solutions. But I can offer my sure witness that God is aware of them. He sent His Son to bear their griefs and carry their sorrows. And, if we are willing to press on with faith in Him, someday we’ll understand what it was all for.
That day can come sooner or later. But knowing that it will come makes all the difference.