Facing Down Uncertainty
The Old Testament is filled with illustrations of great leaders: Moses, Joshua, Esther, David, Hezekiah, Josiah, etc. I love to read of their exploits and marvel at their victories.
Yet there’s another who is right at the top of my list of favorites. It’s the son of King Saul – Jonathan. For most of us, our understanding of him is limited to his friendship with David and willingness to forego the throne he stood to inherit and defer to David.
But Jonathan was no softie. He was a courageous warrior and respected leader in his own right. In one particular instance, he demonstrated an attitude that I for one, need to embrace more consistently.
The story comes out of I Samuel 14. To set the stage for you, the Israelites and Philistines are at war and are facing a stalemate. Neither side wants to risk the “high ground,” so both play it safe.
Eventually, this drives Jonathan crazy. So, he leaves the safety of the Israelite camp and, along with his armor-bearer, stealthily approaches the enemy.
It’s not just a scouting expedition. Jonathan is committed to intentionally picking a fight even though the odds are completely against him. It’s a huge risk. There is certainly no certainty of success.
But notice his attitude. “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” (I Samuel 14:6)
Indeed, the Lord did save! Jonathan and his armor-bearer slew 20 men. Their dramatic victory spread panic throughout the entire Philistine army and the rest of the Israelites, emboldened by their leader, were moved to action. The willingness of this leader to deal with uncertainty had a huge impact
It’s so easy to read about an incident that occurred 3000 years ago and fail to appreciate all that was at play because we know how the story ends. We read the account and think the outcome was inevitable. Psychologists call this “hindsight bias.”
But to really appreciate the leadership of Jonathan, you’ve got to put yourself into his sandals before he won his battle. Among the emotions he was facing would have been uncertainty. Defeating the Philistines was not a foregone conclusion. In fact, it was a statistical unlikelihood
Jonathan didn’t know if he would live or die. But he knew that God was with him.
Taking the risk.
There come times in every leader’s life when we too must take no less of a risk. Acting on our belief of God’s leading and presence, looking uncertainty straight in the eye, we make the decision to go “all-in” – without the assurance of success.
I know that different people have different personalities. I know for some risk-taking is easier while for others it’s a real challenge. But I also know that embracing uncertainty is a necessary dimension of leadership.
Mark Batterson put it so well: “I think that all too many have the mistaken notion that faith reduces uncertainty. Nothing could be further from the truth. Faith doesn’t reduce uncertainty. Faith embraces uncertainty.”
“I think that all too many have the mistaken notion that faith reduces uncertainty. Nothing could be further from the truth. Faith doesn’t reduce uncertainty. Faith embraces uncertainty.” – Mark Batterson
Jonathan Moments
In looking back at 40 years of ministry, I can reflect upon a number of “Jonathan moments.” Perhaps one of the greatest was when I sensed that the Lord was calling us to build our facility without borrowing.
It was a huge step of faith to share this with our elders – who had already voted to take out a loan. Then once they agreed to follow my lead, it was a risk to communicate this to a congregation that was in desperate need of more space.
These would be the same people who would be asked to sacrifice greatly in order to build debt-free. Like Jonathan’s armor-bearer, they too would have to go “all in” in the midst of great uncertainty.
“Who knows? Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf.”
And He did. Over the next years, more than $6,000,000 of construction took place without borrowing a dime!
Other Jonathan moments included intentionally choosing to stay located in an increasingly economically marginalized part of our city. And then to seek to become a racially diverse church.
It was a big risk. And it carried a heavy price. Some, in fact, decided not to embrace the risk and left. Yet, once again, God came through.
Then there was the risk I embraced to forego asking our people to make a year-end offering to top off our church coffers and, instead, to take an offering on Christmas Eve and then give it all away to other global or local points of need.
Every year I swallowed hard and wondered if we would “make it up.” And yet every year we ended up in the black and were able to give more than $3,000,000 away.
Willing to fail.
I don’t share all of these success stories without admitting to some painful failures as well. The various ministry initiatives that were enthusiastically launched, only to sputter and die. The big dreams we invested in that never quite materialized.
Our story wasn’t the typical NFL highlight reel with nothing but long-gainers and Hail Mary pass completions. We had our share of fumbles, botched hand-offs, and costly penalties along the way.
So, understand me here. A “Jonathan spirit” isn’t a carte blanch permission slip to take crazy risks. And there always needs to be a humble sense of the possibility of being wrong and paying the price for that.
But could it be that all too many of us play it way too safe way too much of the time? That unless we are absolutely guaranteed we won’t fail, we won’t step into the uncertainty and even try?
Could it be that all too many of us play it way too safe way too much of the time? That unless we are absolutely guaranteed we won’t fail, we won’t step into the uncertainty and even try?
Risk and reward – for you and them.
For you, such a step might be a small one, to begin with. Engaging in a spiritual conversation with a neighbor. Seeking to reconcile a broken relationship. Praying a bold prayer for healing. Giving a generous financial gift.
Such things can seem every bit as daunting as two dozen Philistines. But if and as you find success there, it might well be that the Lord will open up a possibility that carries far greater potential.
One more thing. The risks we took, in many cases, led to greater freedom and maturity in those we led. Our willingness to dare greatly led to their willingness to dare greatly.
As a result, hundreds of our armor-bearers followed the example of living debt-free, repented of old prejudices, and stepped into a whole new level of generosity.
What about the Jonathan moments that are on your horizon? Is God challenging you to step out in the midst of great uncertainty?
To be sure, you might well fail. But then…who knows… perhaps…the Lord will act on your behalf.
I’d love to read about some of your “Jonathan moments.” Use the reply section below to share them that others might be encouraged.
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