Trust

God has been teaching me to trust lately, and I love it. It's amazing, the feeling of security and peace that floods over you when you place everything in His hands. Past failures, present preoccupations, future pursuits. Like the waves gently tossing a ship into the right direction, our Lord is ever steering the helm of our life. I know that He will see us through to the other side.

Our God is in the mighty wind, the rolling waves, the howling tempest, and the calm ripples. I stand amazed at His power and sovereignty. Let's trust Him today, knowing that He is far greater than all our worries and cares!

Encouraging words

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. -Plato

          We all get caught up in the grind of daily life; schedules, work, to-do lists. We all have these things, of course-- otherwise we would not be living at all. But I have noticed that it is far too easy to overlook the needs of others in moments of particular busyness. Consider this: every person you come across today is need of encouraging word; a gentle reminder that you're praying for them, you care for them, you wish the best for them. It only takes a minute. And how God could use that single minute in the life of one who is struggling!


Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. -Eph. 4:29

Words are powerful. We cannot underestimate the power our words will have upon the hearers. Whether we choose to edify, cut down, or say nothing particularly fruitful at all-- our words are leaving an impact behind in the lives of those around us. That is why Jesus Christ urges us not to speak idle words (Matthew 12:36).

Here is a challenge: let's say at least one encouraging word to someone today. Whether it be a simple, "I hope you're doing well", or "I'll pray for you" (granted you will), or "Keep pressing on." We may never see the impression these simple words leave behind, but they will... and so will God.

Trusting God

I found a quote by R.C. Sproul today. He said, "It is one thing to believe in God; it is quite another to believe God." I couldn't agree more. As a free thinking people, we always risk the temptation of trying to control our own lives, reasoning out our circumstances, then coming up with clever solutions--- often with only a secondary thought of consulting the Lord for guidance. 

   Lately I've had to take a step back to look at my life from a third-person point of view. In doing so I have come to discover a regrettable level of self-drivenness and self-loathing that's a little too domineering and dismissive of God's providence. The thoughts I refer to are ones such as these:

  "My life could be so much more successful if I would only___"
  "I'm ruining my future by____"
  "If I could only get the hang of____"

This general train of thought ("If only I") presents the problem of elevating myself to the position of a "make or break" solution for success, when in reality only God is able to assume that position. He has predestined me to be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29), and nothing I do or don't do will destroy that blessed promise. That is a comforting thought!

   "The heart of man devises his way, but the LORD directs his steps." Prov. 16:9
                                 

As a child of God, I have learned that I must have faith that all circumstances are working together for the good of our Heavenly Father's ultimate plan. This goes for all of us who are His children. Though I am a strong believer in being vigilant (1 Pet. 5:8), steadfast (1 Cor. 5:58), and circumspect (Eph. 5:15), there are many situations that are simply out of our control and must be given over to prayer and trust.

For example, some time ago I was deeply burdened over the loss of a few of my piano students. I didn't understand why it seemed, over the course of a couple weeks, I was losing the opportunity to teach children I'd spent years instructing (I now suspect leaving my old Church was most likely behind this). I mulled over this problem, assuming my lack of ability and competence was behind the whole ordeal. After wasting much time in anxiety I finally committed it to prayer, and I felt the simple instructions in my heart, "Do your best with what I have given you now. Trust me with the rest."

And so I did. Over the next month I received a few phonecalls and emails expressing interest in my teaching. I was able to take on five more students. I understood then, ashamed and rejoicing, that God had the situation under control the entire time.

My prayer right now is that God would grant me the faith to trust Him, even when there is no clear direction or solution in sight. As Nahum 1:7 says, "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him."

                            

Jeremiah 17:7,  "But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him."

If our God has the ability to create the world in 6 days, shine new life in the heart of a dead man, and part the Red Sea for the entire nation of Israel, we can believe that He can be trusted with the smallest and largest affairs of our lives.