A phrase I’ve heard from so many people lately is, “I don’t understand.”
I don’t understand what’s happening in the world.
I don’t understand what’s happening in our family.
I don’t understand what’s happening in my body.
When we don’t understand, we can feel pressure to make sense of things or to pretend everything is fine. But the God who says we are beloved is willing to gently comfort us in our not-knowing.
Jesus speaks these words to Peter, “What I’m doing you don’t realize now, but afterward you will understand” (John 13:7 CSB). It’s their Last Supper, the one in the upper room. The cross is coming. I imagine the disciples are confused and uncertain. So when Jesus begins to wash their feet, it’s just one more thing that doesn’t make sense. Peter protests, and John 13:7 is Jesus’s response.
What I love about this verse is that Jesus doesn’t try to explain. He doesn’t correct or rebuke. He doesn’t sigh in frustration. He isn’t the parent using the cliché, “Because I said so, that’s why.” Jesus gives us a beautiful gift: permission to not understand.
When I look at the world around us, there’s so much I don’t comprehend. When I look at my own life, the same is true. What God is up to so often remains a mystery. It’s okay not to know, not to have all the answers. Yet there’s hope in these words as well—“but afterward you will understand.”
If today’s post is helpful, forward it to your friends and family so they can enjoy it too! To make it easier, I’ve posted this image and an excerpt on Facebook.
Someday we will understand. All the blanks will be filled in at last. All the tears will be wiped away. All the injustices will be made right. This doesn’t mean we don’t grieve now, that we don’t get frustrated or even angry. Jesus knows what it’s like to live in this world. What it does mean is we can be sure that whatever trial we’re facing, whatever questions we’re wrestling with, whatever unknown wakes us up at night, it will not last forever.
Even when we don’t understand, we can trust God’s heart; we can put our whole lives in his hands.
With You in the Not-Knowing,
Holley
MORE FOR YOU
– If you’d like more encouragement like this post, you’ll find it in 365 Truths for Every Woman’s Heart (you can download a free excerpt).
– On More than Small Talk, we recently revisited one of our all-time favorite episodes. Take Heart, Daughter is for you if you’re feeling discouraged or weary this week.
– I just released a new resource for you on YouVersion (the Bible app on your phone)! Free 3-Day Devotional Plan: Jesus, I Want to Know You
