THE UNKNOWN FACTOR

But Jesus, overhearing their conversation said, "Do not be afraid, only believe." Mark 5:36

This morning a very dear friend of mine sent me a text that read:

"I had two biopsies and markers inserted yesterday.  Bandaged up and on the mend now. My doctor wants me to come in for an MRI" to which she added, "kind of scares me, but probably just a precaution."

I wrote her back ...

When you think about it, every second has an unknown factor built into it, and because it is unknown, it kinda scares all of us. I'm thinking about Mars Hill where Paul discovered a shrine for every idol under the sun, including one to the unknown God. It was right there among every other idol already named. Now this unknown god in particular was also there in case there happened to be a god they hadn't yet thought of so Paul preached that the unknown god was the God who made the world and everything in it. Acts 17:24. I'm thinking the unknown factor in every second also needs to be filled with God. He has a name, the name of Jesus. I believe that is how we replace our unknowing fears with His all-knowing peace. I believe when the Lord takes His rightful place in the unknown factor of our lives, we are no longer afraid, but have peace with God no matter what comes our way.   

When you think about it, every second of our day does have an unknown factor built into it. We go about our business as if nothing could stop us. I once heard someone say, "Life is what happens when you're busy making plans." It's true, isn't it? 

There have been some very serious events of late that will serve to illustrate my point. Hurricanes with up to 185 mph winds devoured -- in one moment -- someone's life as usual. Unquenchable fires burning thousands of acres along with homes and livestock stopped someone's life as usual. The recent earthquake in Mexico with a magnitude of 8.1 destroyed someone's life as usual. What about the recent flood in Texas that has left thousands of people without the resources to make plans as usual?  Someone will get into their car today expecting to drive from here to there, but no one expects the possibility of an accident. These unavoidable factors have the power to waylay postpone, rearrange, change or just do away with the plans people make. 

The Guardian / Flooding in Texas

Hurricane in progress

Fire threatens to destroy homes and lives

Recent earthquake in Mexico with a magnitude of 8.1

I am not one to consider the possibility of a traffic jam, road construction, parking issues or detours, let alone something more devastating as an earthquake, a fire or a flood -- I just aim to arrive on time as the crow flies -- but from minor inconveniences to major catastrophes, these are just a few examples of the unknown factors that can arise, interfere with, and/or disrupt our personal plans. As my friend so aptly worded it, "kind of scares me."

What about one's health?  One can feel perfectly healthy one minute, see a doctor for a routine checkup, receive devastating news, and one's life is dramatically changed before leaving the doctor's office. Yes, our plans and expectations are subject to the unknown factor. They can be life-changing one minute, and life-threatening the next.

I once heard a story about a man who decided to walk to the store for a new pair of shoes. On his way he bumped into a friend of his who asked him where he was going, to which he replied, "I'm off to buy a new pair a shoes." His friend relied, "You mean you're off to buy a new pair of shoes, Lord willing," to which he replied back, "No, I've got my money right here in my wallet; the store is open, and they have the shoes I want ... I've seen them in the storefront window ... so there's no Lord willing about it. I'm off to buy a new pair of shoes and a new pair of shoes I shall buy." They said their good-byes and on he went to the shoe store. On his way, he crossed an alley where he got mugged, robbed, beat up and left for dead. By the time he came to, the store had closed and it was dark. As he hobbled home hunched over in pain and limping, he saw his friend again who asked what happened? After describing his woes, he asked, "Well, where are you going now?" to which the disheveled man answered, "Home, Lord willing!"

Come with me -- if you're willing -- to Mars Hill, a place in Athens, Greece where Paul is waiting for Silas and Timothy to arrive. He has been dropped off after some brothers helped him run for his life to escape from yet another life-threatening mob scene -- this time in Berea -- for what? for preaching the word of God. Paul experiences one unknown factor after the other ... always something threatening his life while endeavoring to stick to the plan. The longer Paul waits in Athens, the angrier he becomes because he discovers the city is a junkyard for every idol imaginable. Having already endured so many unknown factors in his own personal experience, he can relate to a bunch of useless, unknown gods never stepping up to help in time of need.

   

Downtown Athens is a great place for serious gossip. There are always people hanging around, natives and tourists alike, waiting for the latest intellectual tidbit on most any subject. He takes note that the Athenians take their religion seriously. Paul seizes the moment and takes his place in an open space at the Areopagus. He lays it out to them that their unknown factor is the God who made the whole world and everything in it. Acts 17:24.

He begins ...

 "When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, TO THE GOD NOBODY KNOWS. I'm here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intellectually, and know who you are dealing with." 

Paul preaches about the God nobody knows at the Areopagus in Athens

• When you think about it, every second has an unknown factor built into it, and because it is unknown, it kinda scares all of us. 
• I'm thinking the unknown factor in every second needs to be filled with God. He has a name, His name is Jesus. 
• I believe that is how we replace our unknowing fears with His all-knowing peace. 
• I believe when the Lord takes His rightful place in the unknown factor of our lives, we are no longer afraid, but have peace with God no matter what comes our way.  
• I believe this is how Paul learned to handle all the unknown factors that came his way, and why he was so fired up to preach about the unknown god.   

Do not be afraid, only believe Mark 5:36