Epic Family,
Our future is more uncertain than it ever has been - at least to us it is. And because we have more questions than answers about what’s ahead, it’s understandable for us to lose our sense of control. If we’re honest, this scares us. What do you do when you feel like your control is slipping away? This could cause increasing anxiety and fear. Or this could be the path that helps you anchor more deeply to the God who has great certainty about your future.
We fear losing control because we’re under the illusion that we’ve had control in the past. But here’s the reality: we aren’t where we are because we had control. We have come this far because we have a God who has led us to this place. And I believe a decrease in certainty about our future might open up an increase for faith in the God who knows our future.
How would you have responded to what God told Abraham in Genesis 12:1? “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Abraham was told to leave everything familiar and everything that was certain to him. And he was essentially told nothing about where he was going. How can you and I move into an unknown future?
While our future is unknown, we aren’t on our own. What God promised Abraham is what He is promising us: “I will show you and I will go with you.” We are being detached from the things we thought we could count on. My hope for you and for me is that all of these detachments will lead to a greater attachment to the God who knows us deeply and knows what’s ahead for us.
I am not celebrating the certainty that we’ve lost in this current season. But, with all my heart, I do believe this is opening up an amazing opportunity for our trust in God to go so much deeper. I don’t know about you, but I’ve talked for a long time about having trust in God. But if I’m honest, this current season is demanding an active trust in God that involves way more than just talking a big faith game. We’re having to walk this out. But it is so worth it!
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
I’ve loved this Scripture for a long time, but it’s especially powerful to me in our current reality. You know what’s being taken from us? Our ability to lean on our own understanding. See, here is something that is now true. We don’t know what’s ahead - when this season will be over, what the future of work is going to look like, what the future of our church will look like, and so much more. But hear this: we were never intended to lean on our own understanding or certainty.
Here’s what we can do though: In all of our ways, submit to God. We can surrender our lives to God - our entire lives as we say in Epic’s vision statement. Part of our frustration with having so much uncertainty is that it means we have to surrender to something greater than our own ways. What will God do for us as we submit to Him? He’s promised to cover us and take responsibility for us.
God has the ability to make our paths straight. I know nothing about our future looks straight to us. Here’s the good news - you don’t have to lead yourself. You can follow a God who sees all, knows all, and intends to work everything for our good. When we can’t cling to the things we used to hold on to, we can cling to the God who has all control.
How are you dealing with the loss of control we’re all facing?
Are you still leaning into your own understanding or are you leaning more into God during this season?
What would it look like for you to deepen your trust in the God who knows where you’re headed?
Much Love,
