For my birthday, the family and I went to see the new mystery movie, “Sherlock Holmes.” I won’t critique it for you nor will I spoil it for you by giving away any info. But there is one observation that I do want to share with you.
Several times in the movie, we are allowed a vision of what Sherlock Holmes is planning. The director reveals what is about to happen, and then it does happen.
Other times, however, we see Sherlock making observations, but have absolutely no idea what the clue might mean, if it is relevant, or how they will all fit together.
Life with God can be like that, too.
And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, … Ephesians 1:9
Sometimes, His strategy is clear. He reveals to us just what He wants us to do, His perfect plan apparent to our lowly eyes. The Word provides confirmation, and we can take action with the confidence that comes from knowing we are following His will.
But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as He announced to His servants the prophets. Revelation 10:7
But there are times when it is all just a complete mystery, and we won’t know the reason for His plan until much later, if in this lifetime at all.
Perhaps we need to mature some more before we are ready to understand:
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:11-12
Or perhaps, He just wants us to trust Him. It is at those times that we walk by faith, and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7) like a child holding hands with her Father. [See my post on that here.]
If you’re like me, you want to know it all – all the “who, what, where, why and how’s” of life. But “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Heb. 11:1), so by its very nature, the life of faith must contain the unknown.
It’s a wonderful mystery, the greatest story ever told. And we are part of it!
Susan
Love how you have weaved these truths together. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Susan –
I think if God showed us the entire picture, we'd be scared out of our wits. He definitely doles out info on a need to know basis.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
We are a part of it. That is sobering and exciting.
Blessings!