me vs. thee

I was thinking last night that I believe, at least, for me, the whole of Christianity, this life of faith in God, is boiled down to how much we can trust.  I know I’ve written post after post and taught message after message about this subject, but it truly, for me, is what it keeps coming back to.

 

How much can I trust God to be who he said he will be to me?  How much do I place my trust in my plans versus his plans?  Why is it so hard for me to abandon my schemes and plots and just simply be still (stop moving, fretting, fighting, worrying) and know that he is God.  How I handle this issue in my life doesn’t determine whether or not I will have problems or not, but it will determine my response to them and whether or not I handle them appropriately.  Let’s just say lately it’s been a struggle. 

 

Trust is such a big issue.  It’s funny because I have a pretty easy time trusting other people, but when it comes to handling life and issues that arise where I need to trust God’s provision or guidance or just simply his presence, I struggle.  I don’t know if this comes from a wound still unhealed, having had spiritual fathers in my life fail me or misrepresent God to me or if its simply a standard human struggle, but it’s there. 

 

I keep thinking of that wonderful line in Evan Almighty.  (I know it didn’t do well in the box office, but I really liked it and it had a really good message.)  God tells Evan, “When someone prays for patience, I don’t give it to them, but I give them opportunities to be patient.”  And so on, and so on.  I keep telling God that I want to trust him more and better, but last night I told him I really could use him lightening up on the opportunities to trust him!!  Thank God he understands all my craziness. 

 

Anyway, if you’re reading this and you want to jump into conversation on this, leave me a comment.  How do you do trusting God?  Is it hard for you?  Do you find yourself scrambling to find “plan B” if God doesn’t seem to come through?  What’s your take?  And if you have the secret to trusting God better, share it with all of us.  I’m open, wide open!! 

Lisa

I lost a friend today. She was about 40 years old, a Children's pastor and a wonderful person. She and I served together on our college class officer board and worked together on the college yearbook. She was from my wife's home church growing up. She died today of cancer.

I really don't know what to write here, except to say that cancer sucks. I wish I would have had the chance to talk with her. I actually did, but didn't take it. She had so many visitors in and out and calls of encouragement and love, I'm sure that she was blessed in her final days knowing she was so loved. It's not that she needed me to call, I needed to, but didn't. I'll see her again one day in heaven and we'll talk then.

Makes you want to hug those you love real tight.