"Get used to disappointment" - Man in Black

The quote "Get used to disappointment" is from the movie Princess Bride and I use it not because of what the Man in Black said but for Inigo's reply: "okay." No argument, no questions, just acceptance that the Man in Black was not going to answer his question. And Inigo didn't know at that time whether the question would EVER be answered.

We, as Americans, have little patience with not knowing answers. There are big businesses that specialize in figuring out the answers to questions about the universe, the ocean, the environment, and the human body. We have the internet to instantly give us options on key words we plug into it. Gone are the days when we went to the library and tediously waded through a card index, miles of books, choosing one or two or ten references to our question, only to have to READ them. Then face disappointment that our answer was not there.

We are impatient with 'unknowns'.

Where does that leave us in God's universe? I have SO many questions I want answered! Now! And He is silent. I search books, the internet, pray, plead, whine, cry, throw fits of frustration and the One Creator of it all sits silent?!

God's presence in our lives and knowledge of His truth gives us options: Disappointment or submission. There are some things that we will just have to get comfortable not knowing. Some mysteries will NEVER be solved. Our faith must stretch and grow and give up the urgency of having to have all the answers, all the time.

John Eldredge put it this way, "The more comfortable we are with mystery in our journey, the more rest we will know along the way."

Our faith leads us to a 'reasonable' response: It hurts! But God is Lord of Lords and knows what he is doing. I don't understand! But God is King of Kings and I can trust Him.

God has authority and sovereignty in ALL things. For us to question Him is arrogant and disrespectful. It is demeaning to His reputation as our master and shows our ignorance.

Now before I get stoned for that last statement let me add: God is Good. With a capital 'G'. He is the imbodiment of Goodness. He is merciful, tender, gracious and forgiving and is big enough to take the questions we ask of Him. But we are also the created and should keep in mind Who is in charge. It will add calmness to our questioning.

Psalms 139.
('Let me sum up')
He knows us. Inside and out. He knows our darkness of sin, illness, situations; He shines through the darkness! We are WONDERFUL. He said so. He is with us all the time. We can confidently say in all humility 'Search me, God. Know my thoughts and questions. See if there is any offensive way in me. And lead me in the way...the everlasting way of your plan for me.'

And be comfortable in not knowing. 'Get used to disappointment'...'okay'...