March 17, 2017
Pretend with me for a
minute. You are in the middle of a lake
in a small wooden boat. Across the stern
of the boat, on that place where the name of the boat is placed, is the word
“Trust.” You look around the boat and
all you have with you is an ax. Now,
think about your marriage or any significant relationship in your life. Have you ever told a white lie? You know, those little ones that you think
have no real significant consequences.
The ones like “Yeah, I’m coming straight home” but then you stop at a
couple stores first. Or, “My phone died”
when you decided to not answer it anymore.
Or even, “I’m fine” when you obviously aren’t. With each one of these, pick up the ax and
take a swing on the edge of the boat.
Have you ever told bigger
lies? “I’m just going out with the guys”
or “I haven’t had that much to drink.”
Or hidden things like how much money you spent. Or do you have secrets locked away behind
private passwords on your computer, phone, or tablet? Have you ever told someone that “you just
need to forgive and forget” rather than simply standing by your loved one? (Yes, we all need to forgive but it is not
always safe to remain in some relationships.)
Take harder swings with that ax.
Each time.
Have you ever called your
spouse a name? Even in the heat of an
argument? Have you ever threatened
divorce? Have you ever threatened her
physical safety? Or how about the
bombshell lies like “He’s just a friend,” “It didn’t mean anything.” Have you ever spoken lies over your partner
such as “You are worthless” or “No one could love you”? Have you ever blamed someone else for your
own actions? “It’s because of you that I
get so angry and yell at you!” “If you
loved me more I wouldn’t have cheated.”
Pick up that ax and strike it square in the middle of the deck of the
boat, over and over again.
Trust simply cannot
survive such abuse. In order to trust,
we have to believe that the other person does not mean us any ill or harm. We have to believe in the foundation of good
will between us. We have to believe that
the other person means good for us, that the other person only wants God’s
blessings on us. We have to believe that
the other person will protect us and have our backs at all times. This is what builds and maintains trust. This is what keeps the boat afloat.
Trusting God is the same
thing. Peter didn’t step out of the boat
because it was sinking. He stepped out
because he wanted to be as close to Jesus as possible. And, in that moment, the whole sea became his
boat that kept him afloat. He trusted
that Jesus would protect him. He trusted
that Jesus only wanted the best for him.
He trusted Jesus meant him no harm.
It was only when he doubted these things, when he took his eyes off the
true nature of Jesus, that he started to sink.
There are times when I
certainly have had my trust issues with God.
Times when things didn’t go the way I wanted them to. Times when healing didn’t come. Times when I felt lead to do things I didn’t
want to do. Times when I have to let
go. I told someone the other day that I
know God has a plan and that He is in control but it may not turn out the way I
want it to. Trust is also surrendering
my will to God’s. The struggle for me is
all too real sometimes. I know what I
know but I also know what I feel. And
when trust is low that feeling is always fear, with a capital F-E-A-R.
So then, I have to return to what I know.
“For God has not given us a
spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” (2 Tim. 1:7)
“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15)
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.” (Eph. 1:4)
Beloved, let us The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”(1 John 4:8)
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”(Ps. 136:1)
“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15)
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.” (Eph. 1:4)
Beloved, let us The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”(1 John 4:8)
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”(Ps. 136:1)
Do you believe that God is
all love? Do you believe that God is all
good? Do you believe that God only has
love and goodness in His heart for you?
If so, then step out of the small boat, keep your eyes firmly on Him,
and see how He will keep you afloat.
“Trust in You” by Lauren
Daigle
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