Where to Go with Uncertainty about Faith Issues

If you skimmed my journals, prayer lists, and Bible study notes from the last several years, you’d find a common struggle: uncertainty. Not in the sense of questioning my faith, but rather a poking, unrelenting uncertainty about some particulars. I’ll put it bluntly: I don’t know if I believe what I used to about a couple of issues.

I’ve gone to him in utter honesty. I’ve prayed. Though I’m a researcher and knowledge-hoarder by nature, I’ve chosen not to read books written by others or listen to sermons on these issues because sometimes for me, others’ voices can muffle the voice of God. And he’s the only one I want to hear from about the issues in question. I’m still crazy enough to think that the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and a posture of humility are enough for now.

Because I’ve been in this tender place of uncertainty, I’ve been attuned to words like wisdom, knowledge, and understanding whenever I see them in Scripture. They’re everywhere.

Last week it was Ephesians 1:7-8 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.” This week it was Colossians 2:2, “so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. In him are hidden all the treasure of wisdom and understanding.”

If you’re in a similar place, might I encourage you with two quick things today? 1. In Ephesians we see that wisdom and understanding are literally on par with such lavish gifts and graces as redemption and forgiveness. 2. In Colossians we see that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and understanding.

I can’t tell you how much this encourages me, even though I don’t have one more ounce of certainty about my questions. These verses are like arrows for me and they point to Jesus, “the Word made flesh,” “the image of the invisible God.”

Study Jesus. Go to Jesus. Excavate every part of his life and attributes. In him are hidden the treasures of wisdom and understanding.

I can’t help but hope that in seeking him on particulars, we’ll be gifted with so much more in the process.