Living "IN" Uncertainty

un·cer·tain·ty

ˌənˈsərtn(t)ē/

noun

• the state of being uncertain.

1. "times of uncertainty and danger"

   synonyms:

   unpredictability, unreliability, riskiness, chanciness, precariousness, changeability, variability, inconstancy, fickleness, caprice

• something that is uncertain or that causes one to feel uncertain.

plural noun: uncertainties

"financial uncertainties"

synonyms:

doubt, qualm, misgiving, apprehension, quandary, reservation, scruple, second thought, query, question, question mark, suspicion "she pushed the anxious uncertainties out of her mind"

1. I think there is a difference between living "with" a sense of uncertainty and living "IN" uncertainty. "With" indicates that someone or something accompanies another person or thing, like a baked potato accompanies a steak. For some, uncertainty accompanies life. "IN" on the other hand designates a location, a place of belonging. They live in...
2. It may seem subtle and arguable to some, but understanding the difference between living "with" something and living "in" something has made all the difference for me. It's helped me embrace uncertainty as a place in which we live, at least for now. 
3. To live "with" something means often that I know the costs involved. For instance, my wife Rochelle lives "with" a big picture, but not so much detailed person. Rochelle knows the costs associated with this and chooses to love me and live "with" me despite them. My friend Al says that I don't like to get into the weeds of the project and he's right. But to live "in" something is different as the costs can change daily, often costing everything. I don't always get to choose the uncertainty I'm living "in." It just comes as part of the life we live in. 
4. Many of the people we get to live life with live "IN" uncertainty. Detroit is still a fragile environment in many ways, including the economy. Many of our neighbors live "IN" a state of changing uncertainty every day. I know many would prefer to be able to live "with" the uncertainty as it might provide a bit a stability in knowing what the uncertainty entails, but their lives change daily as do the uncertain struggles. They just live "IN" this place of uncertainty.
5. In many ways this last year has been a place of uncertainty. Living "IN" uncertainty as to mission and purpose, and even if we're doing anything of value for the Kingdom and others. But embracing this place, this location of "IN" uncertainty has brought peace. God doesn't always lay out all the details. Sometimes it's just a big picture (sometimes just a snapshot) of His plans. I think this living "IN" uncertainty creates a new sense of reliance on Him as the only stable thing in your life.

It's uncomfortable, I get it. Someday's it's just flat our hellacious. I trust God that this too shall pass... someday. But for now this is where He has placed me...and maybe you(?). The place He has providentially put me (you) "IN." It may be uncomfortable, this place of uncertainty, but, at least where we live, it is more of a reality then any sense of normalcy. So I'm choosing this uncomfortable place of uncertainty, because as Voltaire said, "certainty is absurd."

So, can I challenge you today to stop begrudging the place or thing of uncertainty you're living "with," and choose to trust God and to learn to live "IN" this place knowing all things are under His orchestration.  Now, enjoy the place you're "IN" and go knock on someone's backdoor. They might just invite you in. Shawn