I'm writing this on Sunday evening.  By the time you read this, you'll know, I'll know, we'll all know.  But as I write, no one knows.  Even the experts don't really know.

We can make some educated guesses.  The experts actually do this quite well.  In fact, if you listen carefully, that's really pretty much all they are doing.  And, some of those guesses might turn out to be correct, in hind-sight.  But, just because someone, even an expert, guesses right, it doesn't mean they "knew", you know?

Of course, I'm specifically talking about tropical storm Sally right now.  It might be a hurricane by the time it hits, or it might not.  Right now, the experts can only narrow down the "cone of uncertainty" [i.e., landfall] to somewhere between Houma and Mobile.  The rainfall could be tremendous, or less.  The wind speeds could be tremendous, or less.  The storm surge could be tremendous, or less.  

And, as I have just been reminded, it "seems" to be the task of the experts to be rather dramatic as they fill the broadcast hours leading up to landfall.  And, I get it - we need to understand the potential dangers we are facing, not to mention that a calm discussion would be virtually unwatchable.  Yet, this dramatic presentation adds to the not knowing.  [I am reminded of the words of Tom Bombadil in "The Fellowship of The Ring" (the book, NOT the film) - "I'm no weather master, nor is aught that goes on two legs."  Perhaps both the experts and the viewers would do well to heed these wise words.]  

And, all of this means we have to make decisions based on guesses.  Thinking about evacuation makes me feel like the rock band, The Clash - "Should I stay or should I go?"  [I know, I'm revealing my age again.]  If I go, what do I take?  If I stay, what might happen?

And then, there's past history to take into account.  In 1992, as fairly new residents to this part of the state, we decided to evacuate to my parents' home in Baton Rouge ahead of Hurricane Andrew.  Big mistake.  Hurricane Andrew pretty much missed Mandeville, but hit Baton Rouge with a vengeance.  I still remember the ferocity of that storm.  We returned to Mandeville the next day to find there had barely been any rain here.  But we couldn't convince my parents to come with us.  "Oh, the power will be back on any minute now", they said, every day for the next 3 weeks!  It was horrible! 

Don't you love not knowing?  

Of course not!  But, while there is virtually no certainty available in this life, certainty is - amazingly and wonderfully -  available for what happens after this life is over.  The Apostle John tells us, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of The Son of God so that you MAY KNOW that you have eternal life." - 1 John 5:13 (emphasis added).  

Yes, you can KNOW that you are safe in God's hands, that you are not condemned, that you will be with The Father, The Son and The Spirit, and with all of the believers throughout all Eternity.  You do not have to go through life questioning your position with God.  I hope that you are living your life with the calmness and peace that comes with this kind of certainty.  If not, I hope you'll talk to me, or to someone else who can help you get this, the most important question in all of life, figured out.

Don't you love knowing?    

~Shepherd Ambrose Ramsey