Venturing into the Unknown

Dear 12th Mile Community,

How do you venture into the unknown?

A new space.  A challenge to begin. A first-time thing.

Do you embrace it, or do you seek an alternative route to avoid it altogether?

I thrive on structure, excessively so. In college, I took a test measuring my tolerance for ambiguity. Guess what? I scored a 4! That was telling to me because the 4 was on a 100-point scale! Hmmm.

The truth is that a life’s journey does not align with that score! From our life’s earliest moments to our final breath, we are called to venture into the unknown:  being born, learning to walk, going to kindergarten, making a new friend, facing a health challenge, entering a different culture, taking on a new job, navigating a difficult relationship, or even riding a rollercoaster for the first time.  All these experiences drive us to embrace the unknown. And beginning anything like this is far from comfortable; sometimes it’s even fearful.

My grandson is not quite a toddler yet, but his enthusiasm for moving makes up for whatever he lacks in age. His boldness is refreshing! One day, several months ago, his boldness met its match. He scaled halfway up the steps at home. Uh-oh! It was almost as if the expression on his face communicated: What have I gotten myself into, and how am I going to get out of it? In seconds, his ambitious exploration gave way to an ear-piercing wail! He remained stock-still. He waited. He may have effortlessly gone halfway up that staircase, but the descent before him was not something he would consider doing alone…not for the very first time! Smart kid! His innocent wisdom kicked in as strongly as his fear. His heart cried out wisely to the ones who loved him best! His parents. 

Oh, to have this pristine default of looking up in simple trust. I struggle with it; my adultness gets in the way. I problem-solve in light of my own strength, forgetting to be more like a child and to seek my Perfect Parent, who holds all things together (Colossians 1:17). Can you relate? The Old Testament offers a powerful example of this anxious adult tendency. It is so human to lean into it. In Numbers 14, we find the nation of Israel on the verge of entering the land God had promised them. They are about to claim their forever home, after a miraculous display of God’s might and power that freed them from 400 years of torturous slavery in Egypt.

God commanded Moses, Israel’s leader, to send 12 men (one from each tribe) to explore the land. When they returned, 10 of the 12 were gripped by fear! Although they admitted the land was rich in produce and vegetation, the people who lived there were enormous in stature and strength (Numbers 13: 26-33). Their fear was so great that they convinced the rest of the people that the only reasonable course of action was to select a new leader and begin a return trek to Egypt! Their “overwhelm” led them to forget the character of the God they follow and serve. Only 2 of the 12 men, Caleb and Joshua, looked to God in the face of the challenge, trusting that he would do what he had promised! They passionately pleaded this truth before their people, …the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them (Numbers 14:9).

The people chose fear. This ultimately led to a 40-year trek through the wilderness before they were allowed to try once again to enter the land promised to them. Forty years later, the Israelites chose faith over fear and began to settle into God’s best plan for them.

I have been like the Israelites in this story more times than I care to admit. I can forget who has been, who is, and who will always be sovereign over ALL things. It would be far wiser to be like my grandson and remain still amid my unknown staircase, allowing my plea to rise in honesty as I ask Him for my next best step. An Old Testament king did exactly this as he faced the prospect of his country being invaded by three enemy nations. King Jehoshaphat honestly presents his lament before God: For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. (2 Chronicles 20:12)

If I have learned anything at all in the harder still, it would be this: God never leaves! He is with me. He is with you…ALWAYS! His call into the unknown will work toward our good, but it means growth, some hard, maybe even some harder still, and some struggle. The amazing dividend is newfound strength. It is a process He is usually not in a hurry to accomplish in us and through us. One step, one thing, and one challenge at a time. Not everything at once! He’s got you! 

With Love,

Louise Ann

So do not fear,  for I am with you; do not be dismayed,  for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand…Isaiah 41: 10

Yes, indeed—God is my salvation.     I trust, I won’t be afraid. God—yes God!—is my strength and song, best of all, my salvation!…Isaiah 12: 2 (MSG)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” …Jeremiah 29:11