Trust
Do you have a hard time trusting God? I know I do. To play devil's advocate for a second, imagine how ludicrous that sounds. Trusting in an unseen being. A being that we can never 100 percent prove exists. A being we can't see, can't feel, can't hear, can't touch. A being we can't comprehend or understand. Faith is a concept lost to most of humanity. We as a species demand proof. We need to see that things exist. We spend countless years doing experiments and studying nature to prove that things do or don't exist. And we are stubborn. How many flawed scientific theories have we held to simply because we can't find an alternative? Or because we refuse to believe the alternative?
The truth of the matter is that we as a species crave comfort. We like everything in our lives to fit in a box that we can explain. We want nothing to surprise us. We are afraid of the unknown. The unknown is scary. Who knows what could happen? Think about it. What's the best part of any mystery story? The part when the detective finally figures it out and explains what happened to his clueless companions. We like resolutions. For everything to be wrapped up in a nice little bow. We cry out in frustration at a cliffhanger in our favorite TV show. People often want to become scientists or explorers simply to discover the unknown. To make it known. This isn't a bad thing. Curiosity is a trait given to us by God. He wants us to explore and unravel the mysteries of creation. Just think of some of the great figures of discovery in history. What did they all have in common? They saw a mystery that had yet to be explained and they committed themselves to unraveling this mystery. Think about when you were in school. Or maybe you're in school right now. That feeling you get when you finally are able to wrap your mind around a concept and master it is one of the greatest feelings ever. And when you have trouble with a subject, you get frustrated. Oftentimes extremely frustrated. I do it all the time. We all do. We don't like things we can't understand or explain. They make us afraid. They remind us that we are still just human beings. They remind us how small we truly are. How tiny we are compared to creation. And that makes us uncomfortable.
Another thing we as a species crave is control. We like to be in control of things. When we are in a situation we can't control we often experience discomfort and worry. We don't like things outside of our control. But we forget who is ultimately in control of everything. I go deeper into this topic in my blog post titled "Peace."
Is there anything more of a mystery to us than God? Almost everything about Him turns human logic on its side. Human logic tells us to get revenge on those who hurt us. God says to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Human logic tells us to use others for our purposes and to do everything we can to elevate ourselves. God says to put others above ourselves and to treat others the way we want to be treated. Human logic tells us that leaders need to be strong and be better than everyone else so they can lead well. God says leaders must know how to serve. Human logic tells us an invisible, all-knowing, all-powerful being can't exist. God says look to creation. The heavens and rocks and seas CRY out His glory. Everything from the largest galaxy to the tiniest microorganism proclaims the existence of a all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present Creator.
Just think about some of Jesus' sayings. How many of them seem completely backwards from the way things should be? "The first shall be last and the last shall be first." "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account." “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well." “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." I often find myself asking: "How can this be? How does this work? It doesn't make sense." But that's almost the point. If we understood everything about God He wouldn't be much of a god. We as creations have deviated so far off the path the Creator intended that we can barely understand His teachings.
It's hard to trust a being we can't touch or feel or hear or even understand. But the truth of the matter is that God is already in control of everything. The politics of the world, the relationships around us, my life and yours, it's all working towards His plan and purpose. Not to say we don't have free will. God has planned out every circumstance in our lives. Whether or not we follow that plan is up to us. But just think for a second. To flip my earlier statement: How ludicrous is it to not trust a being that is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, and ultimately good. So very good. God is the embodiment of all that is good, and just, and beautiful, and righteous. He has dominion over all! He spoke the galaxies into existence! He carefully crafted together the smallest insect! He knitted us together in the womb. We have a God that is the most perfect being ever. And the crazy thing? HE LOVES US! He not only made us and guides us, He loves us individually. Not as a species. But as people. God put love and attention and thought when He hand-crafted you. He has a perfect plan for you. And for me. Yes it is hard to trust Him at times. We don't always see His plan. We don't always understand it. We don't always like it. But we can't see the entire picture. God is outside of time. When it comes down to it, He truly knows what is best.
Are you at a point in life where you feel confused? Afraid? Do you not know which way to go? Are you terrified by the unknowns in your life? Does the thought of surrendering your life to God scare you? It scares me. But take heart in the knowledge that there is no one who loves you more than Christ. He laid down His life for me. I believe Him when He says He is the way the truth and the life. And I trust that one day He will come back for me. And I have faith that when I am drowning in sin and fear and doubt, He will reach out His hand and pull me out of the mire. Yes it is very scary. But I am willing to give my life to the maker of Earth and waves. The ancient of days. Because I believe that He is good and that He loves me and that He has what is truly best for me in mind. Will you trust Him? Will you trust that He will reach out His hand to you when you are drowning? Will you take it?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
The truth of the matter is that we as a species crave comfort. We like everything in our lives to fit in a box that we can explain. We want nothing to surprise us. We are afraid of the unknown. The unknown is scary. Who knows what could happen? Think about it. What's the best part of any mystery story? The part when the detective finally figures it out and explains what happened to his clueless companions. We like resolutions. For everything to be wrapped up in a nice little bow. We cry out in frustration at a cliffhanger in our favorite TV show. People often want to become scientists or explorers simply to discover the unknown. To make it known. This isn't a bad thing. Curiosity is a trait given to us by God. He wants us to explore and unravel the mysteries of creation. Just think of some of the great figures of discovery in history. What did they all have in common? They saw a mystery that had yet to be explained and they committed themselves to unraveling this mystery. Think about when you were in school. Or maybe you're in school right now. That feeling you get when you finally are able to wrap your mind around a concept and master it is one of the greatest feelings ever. And when you have trouble with a subject, you get frustrated. Oftentimes extremely frustrated. I do it all the time. We all do. We don't like things we can't understand or explain. They make us afraid. They remind us that we are still just human beings. They remind us how small we truly are. How tiny we are compared to creation. And that makes us uncomfortable.
Another thing we as a species crave is control. We like to be in control of things. When we are in a situation we can't control we often experience discomfort and worry. We don't like things outside of our control. But we forget who is ultimately in control of everything. I go deeper into this topic in my blog post titled "Peace."
Is there anything more of a mystery to us than God? Almost everything about Him turns human logic on its side. Human logic tells us to get revenge on those who hurt us. God says to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Human logic tells us to use others for our purposes and to do everything we can to elevate ourselves. God says to put others above ourselves and to treat others the way we want to be treated. Human logic tells us that leaders need to be strong and be better than everyone else so they can lead well. God says leaders must know how to serve. Human logic tells us an invisible, all-knowing, all-powerful being can't exist. God says look to creation. The heavens and rocks and seas CRY out His glory. Everything from the largest galaxy to the tiniest microorganism proclaims the existence of a all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present Creator.
Just think about some of Jesus' sayings. How many of them seem completely backwards from the way things should be? "The first shall be last and the last shall be first." "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account." “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well." “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." I often find myself asking: "How can this be? How does this work? It doesn't make sense." But that's almost the point. If we understood everything about God He wouldn't be much of a god. We as creations have deviated so far off the path the Creator intended that we can barely understand His teachings.
It's hard to trust a being we can't touch or feel or hear or even understand. But the truth of the matter is that God is already in control of everything. The politics of the world, the relationships around us, my life and yours, it's all working towards His plan and purpose. Not to say we don't have free will. God has planned out every circumstance in our lives. Whether or not we follow that plan is up to us. But just think for a second. To flip my earlier statement: How ludicrous is it to not trust a being that is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, and ultimately good. So very good. God is the embodiment of all that is good, and just, and beautiful, and righteous. He has dominion over all! He spoke the galaxies into existence! He carefully crafted together the smallest insect! He knitted us together in the womb. We have a God that is the most perfect being ever. And the crazy thing? HE LOVES US! He not only made us and guides us, He loves us individually. Not as a species. But as people. God put love and attention and thought when He hand-crafted you. He has a perfect plan for you. And for me. Yes it is hard to trust Him at times. We don't always see His plan. We don't always understand it. We don't always like it. But we can't see the entire picture. God is outside of time. When it comes down to it, He truly knows what is best.
Are you at a point in life where you feel confused? Afraid? Do you not know which way to go? Are you terrified by the unknowns in your life? Does the thought of surrendering your life to God scare you? It scares me. But take heart in the knowledge that there is no one who loves you more than Christ. He laid down His life for me. I believe Him when He says He is the way the truth and the life. And I trust that one day He will come back for me. And I have faith that when I am drowning in sin and fear and doubt, He will reach out His hand and pull me out of the mire. Yes it is very scary. But I am willing to give my life to the maker of Earth and waves. The ancient of days. Because I believe that He is good and that He loves me and that He has what is truly best for me in mind. Will you trust Him? Will you trust that He will reach out His hand to you when you are drowning? Will you take it?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
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