I'm clueless, and sometimes that's OK!

“Give yourself permission not to know and be satisfied knowing the One who does.”

~ by Joyce Meyer, “I Dare You"

How many times have I heard messages about how we should be willing to do whatever God gives us to do in our lives.  And to do it with all of our heart and strength.  Along with the willingness must come wisdom, however, because sometimes the "thing" right in front of us looks so "right" and so "good," but it isn't always the "best."  And it is often difficult to determine what we should be doing with our life.  

How many times have I said (to myself or out loud to whomever I was talking to at the time), "I'd be happy to do whatever it is that I am supposed to be doing, if I just had a clue!"  I've committed in my heart to be willing, but when I can't figure out what it is that I'm supposed to be willing to do, I get a bit frustrated.  So where did I get the idea that all of this would be perfectly, crystal-clear anyway?  Well, I guess it has just always sounded to me like all I needed was a willing heart, and the rest would just happen.  And eventually it does, but it is the journey from here to there that seems a bit treacherous. 

I guess I always felt just a little bit of a failure when I struggled through days, weeks, or months wondering - and wandering - trying to see through the haze of uncertainty and figure out if I was on the right path.  This quote gave me such a sense of a burden being lifted from my heart.  I felt the freedom to "give myself permission" not to know.  That it is OK not to know always what the next step is, or where the journey will take me.  It is enough to know the One who is still in control of every event in my life.  Perhaps I'm too committed to "getting it right," even when I have no idea what "right" is in any given situation.  

Of course, I'm not talking about "not knowing" about things that are clearly addressed in Scripture . . . . but, for instance, when we were considering adopting our daughters.  We were both in our mid-forties at the time, and it definitely wasn't something that "everyone else" was doing.  So, that wasn't the motivation that seemed to keep us moving in the direction of adoption.  And even when we had Christian friends and family wonder if we had lost all touch with reality    ;o)  we still felt compelled to pursue this path.  And, as it turned out, God showed us over and over again His grace and goodness through the gifts and prayers of those who have a heart for orphans.  Eventually we knew what we were supposed to be doing, but in the beginning, it was not clear at all.  

I've experienced enough of life to know (in my head) that God is completely sovereign and in control of all things . . . . but it is difficult getting it settled in my heart that there isn't anything else that I need to DO, but just trust, keep moving forward, and know that if I am going in the wrong direction, He is wise enough and strong enough and loving enough to let me know.  That's what I have to be listening for - His voice.  It is enough to know that He knows - and I now give myself permission not to know!  

As it turns out, I chose this quote several weeks ago when I came across it in the book that we were studying in our Sunday School class.  But right now, TODAY, this week, we are in the midst of needing to make some decisions and choices that will affect our life in a significant way.  And the pathway does not seem at all clear.  I was wasting too much time and energy worrying about what we should do, until I remembered that this was my week to be the IOW hostess, and I reread the quote . . . . . and it was such a powerful reminder that I need to trust.  Even when I don't know.  Because He does, and is, and forever will be.  I am blessed!  

Thank you for stopping by this week and sharing in the IOW weekly words of inspiration.  Please take a minute and visit some of the other women who have posted their thoughts on this quote for this week. But be sure to let me know you stopped by first!  Have a blessed week, knowing that He's got it all under control so we can just keep moving forward, and stop worrying about what is around the next bend in the road.