Unknown Zone

By Sue Bohnert
Guest Writer

I pull open the blinds and look out to another day of uncertainty. What will this day bring, Lord? Why can’t I get it together? That terrible pain down deep in my emotions has hit me again this morning; it is a hurt that causes me to cry out even though the pain is not felt physically.

Author, Byron Bohnert wrote, “Oftentimes following God does feel very uncertain, but if we just hold on for the ride it’s always worth the trip.”

That uncertainty is what I call the “Unknown Zone”. One day while sitting in front of my computer and searching the Internet, I started talking to God. “Lord, I’m sailing into unchartered waters. I don’t know where I’m going.” Then while looking down at the screen, I noticed the words on the bottom right, “Unknown Zone”. Have you ever noticed it on your computer? It’s the place you go while waiting to reach your site.

We will all enter this zone several times in our lives through starting a new marriage, family, job, church, school, or home. It actually all starts at birth. What will this life of mine bring?

[The Future—Determined and Unknown] Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny. (Ecclesiastes 6:10 New Living)

You know you have a destination to reach but you’re not sure how you’ll get there. The anticipation of what lies ahead can be exhilarating and the possibilities will be limitless as you enter this zone.

By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 (Message)

However, it never occurs to us that these unknown zones can turn around and leave us battling fear and hopelessness. Therefore, we find ourselves traveling into another unfamiliar zone during times of divorce, job loss, death, bankruptcy, broken relationships. The list is endless.

My insides are turned inside out; specters of death have me down. I shake with fear; I shudder from head to foot. "Who will give me wings," I ask— "wings like a dove?" Get me out of here on dove wings; I want some peace and quiet. I want a walk in the country, I want a cabin in the woods. I'm desperate for a change from rage and stormy weather. (Psalm 55:4 Message)

We wrestle with so many questions. Will I make it through without being shipwrecked? Will I drown in the middle? Will I stay on course? Don’t you see how the disciples felt being in that boat during a storm? The King of Kings was right there in the midst of them and they still panicked.

“When you’re in a tight spot and problems are raging all around, there is a sense of uncertainty that tries to envelop the mind. If we are not careful, it is easy to get mentally sidetracked. By focusing on our problems and never looking up, we will fail to experience the peace of God.” (Trust Him in Everything by Byron Bohnert)

In the unknown zone you have to trust Jesus without knowing where you are going. Your possibilities can still be unlimited. God will open up opportunities you would have never known without trusting in Him during times of uncertainty.

These words in Isaiah 42:10-16 will give you courage as you travel into the unknown:

But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I'll be doing for them— sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute. (Message)