Security in Certainty

There is security in certainty.

The baby is secure in the arms of her mother.  She often behaves with the certainty that her mother will always be there when she wants to sleep or when she wants a feed.  That level of certainty is never questioned by her at that age.  It’s not even an assumption on her part it is the act of confidence about that which will be.

Of course, she then grows up and some of those certainties fly out of the window – the physical certainty of the presence of her mother may remain, but question marks begin to emerge about whether or not she is there emotionally.  Does she really understand what’s going on?  There are those moments of uncertainty that creep and so although there is still a feeling of love because of the given love of the mother, there isn’t that 100% degree of assurance made by certainty.

In time all other of the things that she took for granted will also be challenged and found wanting – especially her own capabilities.  She will not certain about who she is and thus can take little to no security in herself.  She is adrift and left to fend for herself as she makes it up as she goes along.  Culture says this, and for want of a better option that doesn’t appear available, she goes with that.  Peer pressure says that, and without anything more sure she drifts with it.  Feelings say this, and because it appears as though it’s the most reliable thing she has, she goes with it. Competing ‘authorities’ with competing claims of certainty and regular episodes of disappointment make their claims and counter-claims, leaving her in a sea of confusion and blundering from one decision to another.

The Jesus she hears about, the God she saw pumped into people’s heads at church means nothing to her.  There is something in it though that does not leave her.  As she muddles from relationship to failed relationship and unsatisfying occupation after unsatisfying occupation, that which rests at the back of her mind begins to entice her to consider Jesus beyond a religious ritual or pretty words.  As she explores further and the gospel unfolds in her life far greater than anyone could argue then she takes tentative steps to embrace Jesus for who He is and who He reveals Himself to be through His community.

As this relationship develops, something even more remarkable occurs – a reminder of that security in certainty that she’d experienced all those years ago.  A certainty not shaken by the doubts of others.  A certainty not knocked by the bad issues of life.  A certainty not defeated in personal failings.  A certainty so deep, so rich, that even the previous certainty with her mother is not as strong in comparison.  And in that certainty she experiences a security and a calming assurance that baffles her work colleagues who tolerate her ‘beliefs’ and amazes even her close friends who saw what she went through.

This security in the certainty of Christ is not something that is argued into, because it is not something that is argued out of and however unfashionable it may be to hold onto it, this provides a rock and balm where others flounder.  Let this security in the certainty of Christ reside in you.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd