One of my favorite things to do is to explore used bookstores! My favorite one of all time is a HUGE Half-Priced Books in Dallas Texas, near where my brother Matthew and his wife Jenna live. It is there Flagship store and anytime Andrea and I are down visiting I try to make a trip to parouse it’s aisles.

I never really know what I want when I enter the building. This particular Half -Prices Books is the size of a grocery store and it can seem overwhelming! But, I usually find myself walking down the aisles and picking up random books as I go, not really sure what I will take home. I can get lost for hours and never really be sure exactly just will be coming home with me (just ask Andrea)!

The strange thing about all this is the uncertainty with which I go into store about what exactly I am looking to read. Uncertainty is not a favorite feeling of mine, in fact I pretty much despise it! Most of my life I have tried to have some sort of schedule in order to avoid that creepy feeling of uncertainty. It all comes from a desire to control my surroundings and feel as though in some small way I have complete grasp and guidance over the world around me…and then my daughter was born.

Shiloh took that schedule and threw it out the window…actually she rocketed it into another galaxy! All my preconceived schedules and routines were obliterated in an instant and for a while I felt absolutely lost and aimless without the “certainty” of my regular routine.

What is it about control that the human race craves so ravenously? Why do we seek in our regular lives to be controlling of every facet, but in our hobbies and pastimes we find the lack of control thrilling and enjoyable. Just think about the places we go for vacations, the choices we make for enjoyment, many times the thrill of uncertainty can be found in those moments. We take a break from the normalcy of our everyday life in order to have the joy of experiencing surprising moments!

What does this mean about the human race? It means that truthfully we cannot and will never be able to grasp true control over our lives. There will always be forces outside our sphere of influence that will be able to disrupt our routines. The reason why we often find liberation in those activities that involve uncertainty is because deep down, it is thrilling to be able to relax in the unknown and be at peace with such situations.

That feeling comes directly from Jesus Christ! In the Gospel of John it states, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” The peace Christ gives us is the only bit of certainty we have on this whole earth, the certainty that He will be with us always. This gift of peace is something that can never be taken away from us and that is why it is so special. You see, humanity tried to achieve ultimate control when we attempted to be our own god in the garden, and by doing so we spiraled into the turmoil of today’s world. So, God in his infinite love sent us the certainty of salvation, so we might endure and thrive in the chaos around us.

Perhaps you are struggling this week with the perception that your life is out of control, or all your plans are being undone. Maybe you are just stressed that your summer routine is being disrupted, or maybe your job isn’t going well or something has got you on edge. Might I suggest a vacation? Take a break from the stress and effort to fit your life into the parameters of routine, take a break from the need to know exactly what is going to happen next. This week go on a vacation into the uncertainty of life and cling to the only certain truth we have, that Christ is with us and will never abandon us.

Who knows, if you stay long enough, you might just never want to come home.

Have a blessed week my friends!

Pastor Mike McVey
Minister – First United Methodist Church, Fairfield TX
ACS Chaplain – United State Coast Guard, Station Galveston TX
Chaplain – Texas Game Warden Service, Freestone County
Cell:  919-935-2513
Email:  pastormike@fumcfairfield.org