“They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.” Acts 2:12

     I don’t know about you but when it comes to living the Christian life through the walk of faith, I find myself being perplexed about many things. Early on in my journey, I was perplexed about God’s timing, His methods, my failures, my inability to be consistent in my walk of faith, etc.

     Today most of my perplexity has to do with ministry. I would get perplexed by couples who come to me for counseling and tell me they are on the verge of divorce and yet walk away when I am sharing the truths that will save their marriage. I am perplexed about why pastors do or not do what they do. I was perplexed when I thought I was going in God’s direction, only to find out I was going in Bill’s direction. At one point not long ago, I found myself being perplexed about so many things that I was becoming frustrated.

     Before I tell you the rest of the story, let’s bring it back to you for a moment. What are you perplexed about? Unmet expectations from God, a spouse that won’t walk with the Lord, an ongoing financial problem or health problem, kids, etc. Your list is probably as long as mine. Where is your perplexity taking you? Frustration, anger, anxiety, fear, etc.? If it is taking you to these places, I can promise you that it will only foster more perplexity, more frustration, etc. However, you and I have another option. Our flesh will not like this one but it is truly our only option and that is to take our perplexity to the Lord.

     Let me explain using the end of my story. After “wallowing” in my frustration for awhile, I finally decided to take my frustration to the Lord.  I told God this: “I don’t like being perplexed. I am perplexed about You, this ministry you have called me to, pastors, people, etc. Why can’t I move beyond being perplexed? Why don’t you connect some dots for me so that I can figure a few things out?” After I got through venting to God I got this reply from Him:

     “Bill, you don’t need to know what I am doing. I have called you to be available, not to figure out all of what I am about through this ministry. I want you perplexed because your perplexity creates a need for dependence and dependence will ultimately bring rest to your soul. And Bill you look like a person in need of rest.” I was a little taken aback but after I thought about if for awhile, I realized the Lord was right. (I am a little slow!)

     The truth is that I (and you) will be perplexed and stay perplexed about many things concerning our Christian walk. I believe that the frustration that bubbles up in us is due in part to wanting to be in control and needing to know and understand what and why God is doing or not doing something. God continues to remind us through our frustration that there is only one God and it is not you or me. What God wants us to do, is to let our perplexity and subsequent frustration bring us back to Him and entrust to Him what we are perplexed about. As we walk by faith and learn to be “OK” with not having to know or understand what God is doing, it will lead to “resting” in your perplexity instead of being frustrated by it.

Like me, are you in need of rest?

Resting in my perplexity,

-Bill