Assurance is Too Safe

Seth Godin thinks living with doubt is costly. He makes a good case for how much we give up (money, time, resources) for a measure of certainty. It’s a good point for those of us who are believers and live very comfortable lives.

If God is the person he claims to be and all of his promises are true, then why don’t we as believers give up the expense of certainty and live into the promises we believe? That is the crisis of faith all Christians find themselves in. If I believe the promises made to me as a father, husband, youth worker, etc., then where does doubt live in my calling?

The only real battle is in giving up the will to live life the way we want and accept life that is given to us. I label this a paradox, but I think it is more of a praxis than mystery.

  • Brad

    Interesting, but how does this idea reconcile with Biblical wisdom literature that approves of being prepared and saving or the hint from some of the Pauline epistles that one of a man’s responsibilities is to provide for his family?

    I know we live too comfortably in the west, and I know I have been infected by ideas and forces of which I am not even aware.

    We all have the experience of seeing horrible things happen to what appears to be the most faithful servants, so while I believe and trust and recognize that everything is a gift, nothing is certain, and it could all burn tomorrow, I don’t think I’m going to cancel our insurance policies, our 401k, or my son’s 529 just yet.

    Perhaps this all boils down to one of those “where do you draw the line?” Where’s your heart, etc.

  • Paul Martin

    Why cancel God’s provision? Live into it.