Embracing the “Unknown”: A Journey into Change
Have you ever caught yourself clutching tightly to the familiar, like a well-worn sweater that’s perhaps seen better days, but still feels like home? I’ve been thinking about how we humans are creatures of habit, finding comfort in the known, even when the unknown might hold something beautiful waiting to unfold.
There’s this quote that’s been echoing in my mind lately, from Andy Mineo, a rapper I like. It says: “The enemy of faith isn’t doubt, it’s when you’ve got it all figured out.” Those words hit differently when you really sit with them, don’t they? They remind me that sometimes our greatest obstacle isn’t uncertainty – it’s our certainty that we’ve already found the best way.
Let me share a story that taught me this lesson in the most unexpected way. My wife and I had this favourite restaurant – you know the kind – where the servers know your usual order and and even know where you like to sit. It was our sanctuary for conversations both light and deep, our default choice when decision-making felt too overwhelming. We were so attached to this place that suggesting anywhere else felt almost like betraying an old friend.
Then came that pivotal day. We walked in, ready for our usual experience, only to be told their payment system was down. Cash only. The server’s dismissive suggestion to “cross the street for an ATM” might have been the gentle nudge (okay, maybe not so gentle) toward change. Instead of jumping through hoops to stick with the familiar, we did something that felt almost rebellious at the moment – we left.
What happened next was nothing short of a small miracle in disguise. The new restaurant we discovered didn’t just serve food; it served us a slice of humble pie with a side of enlightenment. Better food, better value, and a reminder that sometimes the best things in life lie just beyond the borders of our comfort zone. And guess what, their payment system was working.
This experience got me thinking: how many other “better restaurants” are we missing out on in life? How many opportunities for growth, connection, and discovery are waiting just beyond the threshold of our comfortable routines? Sometimes, God will arrange things to make you uncomfortable so you can make that next big move in your life.
It’s a new year and I want to invite you on a journey of gentle rebellion against the status quo. Imagine what might happen if we approached each day with the curiosity and faith of a child, ready to:
– Trust in God some more
– Taste new flavours in both food and experience
– Welcome new voices into our circle of friendship
– Explore new paths in our professional journey
– Open our minds to different perspectives
– Embrace new habits that might just transform our lives
Yes, the unknown can feel like standing in a room with no lights. You’re just not sure what’s in there but every human being has been given a measure of faith by God. That faith has the power to move mountains if we believe.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. In fact, maybe that’s the whole point. Perhaps the blessing lies not in knowing exactly where you’re going, but in trusting God’s will is being done in your life as you walk in faith.
This year, find the courage to say “yes” when comfort whispers “stay.” After all, the most beautiful chapters of our lives often start with turning an unexpected page.