Not Sure

I remember something I used to tell my children when they didn’t know the answer to a question.
It is OK not to know something; it is not OK not to know it, twice.
In that grammatically interesting sentence there is an important truth.
We cannot possibly know everything, but it is possible for us to find the answer.

That training crept into my daughter’s classroom when she was a second grade teacher.
Children often say, I don’t know.
Sometimes, they truly don’t know.
Other times, it is a way not to answer a question when they are put on the spot.

My daughter came up with a solution.
She encouraged them to say, Not sure.
Not sure, left things open for discovery, as she encouraged them to find out so they can be sure.
Not sure, was a declaration that could be remedied.

Now, my daughter has two daughters of her own, with another baby coming in January.
My three-year-old granddaughter will answer questions, as she looks you in the eye.
However, there are those times when the answer is allusive to her.
In those times, she says, Not sure.

It is a privilege to help her find the answer so she can be sure.
It is rewarding to see her face as the light bulb turns on.
All the pieces come together and makes sense.
Illumination happens at the moment of discovery.

We pass people on the street everyday who are not sure.
Some of those people may even be in our own homes.
They are not sure of the most important thing.
They do not know the One who provided a Way so they can be sure.

Do you know that you are made in the image of God?
Not sure.
Do you know that God created you and you are fearfully and wonderfully made?
Not sure.

Do you know that you are deeply loved by God?
Not sure.
Do you know that the hairs on your head are numbered?
Not sure.

Do you know that God sees you?
Not sure.
Do you know that God hears you when you call to Him?
Not sure.

Do you know that all the things God has to say to you are found in His Word?
Not sure.
Do you know that the Bible is the Word of God?
Not sure.

Do you know that God sent His Son, Jesus, who came to earth as a man and was born of a virgin?
Not sure.
Do you know that Jesus came to save you from your sins?
Not sure.

Do you know what sin really is?
Not sure.
Do you know that your sin keeps you separated from a holy God?
Not sure.

Do you know that your sin is too great  a debt to pay yourself?
Not sure.
Do you know that when you confess your sin, God is faithful and just to forgive your sin?
Not sure.

Do you know that Jesus died on the cross and took your sin upon Himself?
Not sure.
Do you know that when Jesus took your sin on Himself, He gave you His righteousness?
Not sure.

Do you know that Jesus was buried?
Not sure.
Do you know that Jesus rose from the dead three days later and ascended into Heaven?
Not sure.

Do you know that when you place your faith in Jesus alone for your salvation, you are saved?
Not sure.
Do you know that there is no name under heaven in which you must be saved, but the name of Jesus?
Not sure.

Do you know that you are sealed with the Holy Spirit when you believe in Jesus’ finished work on the cross?
Not sure.
Do you know that nothing you can do on your own will ever bring you back to the Father?
Not sure.

Do you know that God the Father has prepared a place for you?
Not sure.
Do you know that Jesus is coming back again?
Not sure.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19,20)

Everyday, we pass people on the street who are not sure.
Some of these people may be in our own homes.
These people are not sure of the most important thing.
We, who are in Christ, go and tell so that they can be sure.

We have a mission.

Our mission is to make disciples.
Our mission is to teach people so they can no longer say, not sure.
Our mission is to make God’s commandments known so that people can obey them.
Our mission is to go to the ends of the earth so that no one can say, not sure.

We do not go on this mission alone.
We have the promise that, surely, Jesus is with us always, to the end of the age.
We go in the power of the Holy Spirit, who as Counselor, enables us to be sure.
Not sure is no longer part of our vocabulary.

 

2 responses to “Not Sure”

1. Thank you for the reminder. So glad you are posting again!

   Reply

   • You are welcome, Paula!
     It was lovely to have some time off but it is nice to be missed.
     Blessings,
     Gina

     Reply