People who lack certainty by the world’s standards are often more open to the Kingdom of Heaven. Conversely, the certainties that humans construct—wealth, power, connections, security—usually give rise to pride before God. To preserve a sense of safety, people may justify any means and neglect their relationship with God. Unaware of it, they become ensnared in traps that endanger their own souls.
The church is not immune to this mindset. Ironically, many churches today resemble other religions: God is reduced to a means of supporting worldly life, a contributor to economic success, health, and comfort. Yet the Gospel never teaches that this world is human’s home. The world is not the final harbor, but a place of transit.
Scripture clearly states: “You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Therefore, every human plan should always be accompanied by this awareness: if the Lord wills. This principle is not merely a religious phrase, but an inner posture that fully accepts the sovereignty of God.
Problems arise when people become strong—strong in wealth, connections, power, or legal protection. At that point, the phrase “if the Lord wills” grows thin, even disappearing altogether. What is dangerous is not the strength itself, but the loss of awareness of eternity. Thus, when God allows difficulties and uncertain circumstances, they are actually nourishment for the soul. God is safeguarding us so that we do not forget this eternal principle.
Relying on human connections, power, or influence for life’s certainty deeply grieves God. There is nothing wrong with having connections or support, but relying on them for certainty displaces God from His rightful place. Believers are called to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” This means that whatever happens is accepted as part of God’s best will.
Many people live as though this world were the only place to live. Heaven is considered abstract and distant. Yet the coming Kingdom of God—the New Heaven and the New Earth—is a very concrete reality. That new world will be like this earth, but without sin, without rebellion, and without death. There, and only there, true certainty is found.
Therefore, no matter how good earthly life may be—healthy, happy, prosperous—it is not true certainty. In fact, it can be dangerous if it causes people to cling to the world. The Gospel affirms that this world is not our home. Ironically, however, many churches teach the opposite: how to enjoy the world with God’s help.
In truth, human beings relate to God not to obtain certainty in earthly life, but to discover and fulfill God’s plan. The principle “if the Lord wills” means living with a focus on God’s will, not merely on personal gain. God must not be reduced to a tool for worldly success. If that happens, God is no longer God, but a servant to human ambition.
Unexpected problems often shake those whom God truly loves. These jolts are meant to awaken them to the fact that there is no true certainty in this world. By contrast, those who are left unshaken often become proud and feel capable of controlling everything. This condition is the most terrifying of all because it reveals a heart drifting farther and farther from the Kingdom of God.
The only true certainty is God and His Kingdom. Everything else will pass away. Therefore, living amid worldly uncertainty while resting in God’s certainty is, in fact, the healthiest path for the soul and the only path that leads to eternity.