Living in "Uncertainty"

Uncertainty.

Somewhere, in some state or country somewhere, there has to be a place called "Uncertainty". Surely our forefathers had a sense of humor - we have "Monkey's Eyebrow, KY", "Toad Suck, AR", and "Sugar Tit, SC". Seriously.

So they must have been aware of irony. Why no "Uncertainty, IN"?

We all live there. ALL of us. No matter how well your life is ordered, or what fibs you tell yourself about how static and unchanging the things around you are, the one thing I can guarantee is that nothing is guaranteed. Every phone call could bring the joy of a coming niece, nephew, or grandchild, or the news of a lost love one, an offer of employment, or news of a layoff. Absolutely nothing is as solid and unchanging as we think.

Well, except for one thing. God is still in His heaven, and all is right with the world. Whatever happens on earth is temporary (even if it seems like a long time while we struggle through it). Paul absolutely nailed it in First Corinthians 13:12 - "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (NIV, although I normally prefer KJV) All things are temporary. Our struggles, our cares, our homes, cars, and even friends.

Now, this is really not a depressing thought, because my fears are also temporary. So are my problems, mistakes, sins, and failures. Now, I freely admit looking to the "sweet by and by" is tough when you are living in the "nasty now and now". I have no answers, just some observations. I am a man just trying to do my best, provide for my family, be a good friend, and a faithful worker, and not hurt anybody (unless they REALLY REALLY deserve it). But as a fellow sojourner here on this world, I'd like to share one thing I have found that works - writing your problems out. Think how you will address each one. Then delete the list. In the old days, burning the paper worked so much better, but I seem to have lost the ability to write with paper and pencil for more than a few words at a stretch - and even then I go from cursive to printing and back, with neither form of writing legible.

This weekend I have watched a few episodes of Deadwood. Back in the 1880's, a man defended himself with guns, and without them, he was weak, or was viewed as such. But the only thing that did was leave a lot of dead young men, and a bunch of widows. There is always someone bigger, tougher, faster, or smarter, and if the law of the land IS the law of the jungle, there will be trouble, misery, and death.

Perhaps this is what "they" mean about "living in the moment" - do your best NOW, and deal with the consequences if and when they come. The Matthew 6:34 (again NIV) says "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

On Monday, my step-father, Ed, will be laid to rest. He passed away in February. Since then, I find myself anxious about the future, and fretting about the past. But I find comfort in knowing that, while life is uncertain, the afterlife is.