I have always thought it weird when people have an aversion to certain words: moist, puss, lactate. I mean, what’s the big deal, it’s just a word. While most words don’t affect me, there is one word I do have serious aversion to and that word is trust.
Trust. (cringe) – one in which confidence/complete reliability is placed.
For me, trust has never come easy. Trust involves serious risk, serious vulnerability and serious potential for pain. But wait, when did trust become so difficult?
It was never my plan to teach little kids five days a week (six if you count Sunday school). However, rarely a week goes by that I don’t have a moment of amazing inspiration from one of my little friends. Kids can trust and love with reckless abandonment. “Nice to meet you! Want to be my best friend?” Why do we lose this beautiful ability to trust and love everyone?
Throughout our lives we all have been let down. A lot. Humans are made in the image of God, but only God is perfect. We all sin. We all make mistakes. To be frank, sometimes we all just suck. God never sucks. God is the one thing you can always rely on completely. And He calls us to trust him in every aspect of our lives.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6
I find this verse as one of the most beautiful and terrifying verses in the bible. As long as you seek God, He will lead the way. Notice it doesn’t say “God will lead you through the path of least resistance.” But God will show you which path to take – the path that leads to glory and fulfillment in Him. The path that leads to peace.
Here’s the terrifying part – do not depend on your own understanding. Sometimes I feel like God is calling me stupid when I read this. “Oh Silly human, your brain is much to small to comprehend.” But really, it all comes back to faith. Do you completely rely on God, even in times of confusion and frustration? Do you trust Him in the “Job” (Jobe) moments of your life when everything is a disaster? It’s not that your brain is too small, it’s that ONLY God can see the whole picture. Only God knows the master plan, His plan for your life.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God has an amazing plan for your life. Are you listening? Are you trusting His plan or trying to insist on your own? I don’t know much, but I do know when you stop painting the picture of what you expect your life to look like and give God the paint brush, beautiful things can happen.
Check out this song for inspiration:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkpRIx7jMp4]
So this God guy, why does he insist we trust him, anyway? Is he a power-hungry dictator TRUST ME OR ELSE!!!! Sounds a nazi-ish to me… The bottom line is when you trust you are demonstrating through action your faith and love… and nothing brings a bigger smile to His face then when do. Living a life of trust IS living a life of faith and love.
“We are never so vulnerable as when we trust someone – but paradoxically, if we cannot trust we cannot find love and joy.” -Walter Anderson.
God is the ultimate example of love and if he calls us to trust him, I believe he’s also calling us to trust each other. and we all know trust is scary.
Over and over this year God has said these words to me, “What are you so afraid of?” And well, that’s a good freaking question. What are we so afraid of? Pain is only temporary. If you want to find love and joy, you have to learn to trust. So, what are you waiting for?
I pray this week you find the strength to just trust. Trust in God and His plan. Trust in people who might let you down. Trust in complete strangers. Trust that no matter what you’re going through, no matter how many people break your heart, you have the strength and faith to keep living the life God intended for you to live.
It’s a long walk through this world, but keep walking tall, you’re one day closer to being Home.