What Do You Know That You Know That You Know?
Elisa Morgan
I know the sun will come up in the morning. But I don’t know if it will shine through the clouds or be hidden from view. I know my day will be filled with activities, chores and conversations. But I don’t know if I’ll complete the tasks I’ve prioritized for my time. I know I’ll be tired when I lay my head down on my pillow at the end of the day. But I don’t know if sleep will come quickly or tease me with thoughts I can’t seem to put away.
It’s tempting to build confidence on what feels predictable in our days. The alarm on our phone. A thirty-minute commute to work. Lunch with a friend. Until our phone dies, we encounter a traffic jam on the way to work or our friend cancels lunch because they have the flu. We realize that nothing is really predictable. Every relationship, time-table and human body can change in a flash, leaving us shaken if our confidence has been in our expectations.
What is there that we can stand solidly upon, regardless of pending earthquakes which threaten our footing? From what source can we derive a real confidence that will not disappoint us, will not trick us, will not surprise, abuse or abandon us?
In the three days following the crucifixion of Jesus, his disciples faced a dilemma: they had to decide what they believed about him. He was either a great teacher who was dead, or he was the Messiah, the Son of God who died to free mankind from sin and would rise again. One or the other. In the dullness of those days and the blackness of those nights, knowing must have seemed impossible. Until he rose and appeared to them on that glorious Sunday morning we now call Easter. Then they knew.
Today God still appears in all of our lives – in small and large ways. Sometimes he comes in the predictable moments we imagine we control. A bedtime ritual kept. A project completed on time and better than we’d planned. Other times he arrives in the interruption of a sick relative or a not-quite-averted temper tantrum (ours!). Whether expected or unexpected, God appears to assure us that he is here. It’s then our turn to decide what we will do with him.
When we hit a hole – and fall through – what is it that catches us at the bottom – or even half-way down? What is the reality we land upon? What do we know that we know that we know?
My answer is clearer every morning and every evening as my day slides and slithers seemingly according to its own accord. I know that I know that I know that God is real, that he loves me and that he gives meaning to my days. I am not alone. In knowing that I know this to be true, I am comforted and made confident.
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
Elisa Morgan is the cohost of the podcast, God Hears Her. She is also the cohost of Discover the Word and contributor to Our Daily Bread. Her books include,You Are Not Alone, When We Pray Like Jesus, Christmas Changes Everything, Hello, Beauty Full, and The Beauty of Broken. Connect with Elisa @elisamorganauthor on Facebook and Instagram.
Comments