April 29, 2025

Dear Friends,

You are predictable. How does that make you feel? What questions does it engender?

Everyone is predictable — even the unpredictable. Their very unpredictability is what makes them predictable. You say, “But I’m a unique person, an individual. I’m not predictable.” Yet, your uniqueness doesn’t affect your predictability.

You and I are predictable because, given a specific set of circumstances, opportunities, or inputs, we will consistently act in the same way in response. I’m not saying that we will act the “right” way or the “best” way but that we will act in the same general way each time. Because of what we value (or fear),and because of what we believe, we have trained ourselves to handle a given situation in a consistent way. That is, literally, what makes us predictable. All you have to do is follow me around for awhile and you will get a pretty good sense of my values and beliefs, and the way that I act upon those values and beliefs.

Now, the fact that you are predictable is not that significant in and of itself. What is, or should be, interesting to us as disciples of Jesus is what our predictability shows about our faith and our habits of faith.

For instance, when confronted with a choice between protecting yourself in some way or helping another person in a way that is a risk to us, what will you normally choose? When you give your word or make a commitment to something, can I count on it or will I learn that circumstances trump your commitment?

Recently, Tim asked me whom I would talk to if I needed temporary housing for someone with a specific need. I told him and was not surprised to find out later that those I recommended had stepped up to help in a time of need. I know those people. I have seen them do this numerous times before. They are predictably good when it comes to this situation.

Let me say two more things about our predictability. First, you get to know it through relationship and experience. The more you know someone, the more you can predict their thoughts and behavior. And, yes, there is a direct correlation between predictability and trusting someone.

The second thing about knowing our predictability is that it should lead me to self-examination. Am I predictable in a good way or a bad way? What are the values that shape my predictability? Where does my predictable behavior need to change if I am a disciple of Jesus?

God is also predictable. Aren’t you glad that God is so consistent? “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.”

Blessings!

Doug