Releasing the Knowing
To live the life of faith, one must release the human compulsion to know, to figure it all out, to select the most secure path, step-by-step.
To know how life will unfold in any given situation
To know the purpose of every endeavor
To reduce the risks at all costs
To guarantee success
As I age, I’m starting to realize how much of a control freak I’ve become. What’s worse, I disguise my compulsion with, “I just want to live a life pleasing to God.”
In reality, I’ve got my teeth sunk into Eve’s apple. You know the story…the slithering serpent’s temptation gets the better of her: “If you eat this fruit, then you will become like God, knowing good from evil.”
“Well heck ya,” I would have said, “Who doesn’t want to know good from evil?”
I would have argued with God, “Lord, we humans could waltz our way around life’s potholes if we had the knowing. We could end every day secure in the choices we’ve made”
Not only do I demand the knowing, but I also come to Him with conditions:
“Ok God, I’ll self-publish those other books if I know they will sell.”
“I’ll try this new art form if I know I can do it well.”
“I’ll take on that new job, if I know the opportunity will extend beyond a year.”
“I’ll try to buy this other home, if I know the process will go smoothly.”
But when opportunities yank on my hand like impetuous children, they often take me through circumstances that mess with my craving for calm, organization, and dependability…
And I don’t think I’m alone. When we humans release the knowing, surprises pop up in the most unexpected places, and yet we can’t enjoy those surprises if we open up all of the packages before hand.
In fact, if we release the knowing, our lives will snake around formidable obstacles and rise above impenetrable ridges. We will find those valleys of purpose we seek.
For we would have never attempted some of the most amazing opportunities if we had known every challenge that lurked in the bushes along the way, waiting to latch onto our ankles.
So just for this moment, and then just for today, let’s work on releasing the knowing. I highly suspect this is a much better way to life.
This post is linked to the True Vine Challenge.
Share this:
