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Photo by Tanya B. Holt
Committing to Trust The Lord
By Rebekah L. Holt
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord and depart from evil." Proverbs 3:5-7
Applying such trust on God can really be difficult. We can assess, analyze, talk about, and write about trusting in God all day long — however, when the purifying fire of trials test the value of our spiritual ore, it is among the ashes where the truth of the treasure in our hearts is perceived.
To be redeemed, saved from a tragedy, brought forth from the churning froth of life, is something only a born again, Bible believing Christian can fully grasp. In many ways, to fully rejoice over our eternal Salvation in full measure first takes getting somewhat "bruised" by the rigors of everyday life. Trials do come and thanks to the grace and enablement of Jesus Christ, we face each one as conquerors (Romans 8:37) and know—with certainty—by His promises, better times are around the bend.
Taking Up The Cross
If anyone could peek into my life, they would see the faithfulness of God stamped and imprinted across it in bold letters. There have been tragedies, frightening illnesses, real hardships and very real heart breaking disappointments, but God has always sustained and breathed hope in the darkest of times.
When I was recovering from an emergency surgery, I remember my mother telling me, "Dear, people go through these types of tragedies everyday. But it is how you will handle this situation that will allow Christ to work a good work in you or else, you'll become bitter. Don't cave in!"
How true! Working in a family business, I have witnessed many people who go through catastrophic experiences and their life is not changed for the better. Oh, they recognize they are in the "line of fire," but to what to purpose if you cannot view such hardships through the eyes of Christ?
Our trials are not to be runway from, swept under the rug, and varnished over. Instead, we are to press into carrying the cross of Christ, pressing on to the mark and leaving what lies behind—moving forward and plodding through, come what may (Philippians 3:13-15)!
When thinking of taking up our cross to follow Jesus Christ, I think of a carriage horse. It is usually considered that a harnessed horse pulls the carriage that is following behind him. Yet, a teamster will tell you that a horse literally pushes, presses and shoves his strength into the padded surface of a custom fit collar. By moving forward, his burden is left behind, following him, not overwhelming or over powering but coming into a steady motion of rolling along. One of the few primary elements ofcreating a great struggle with the burden (again) would be to stop moving forward.
Trusting in Uncertainties and Certainties
As we face life, the uncertainties and the certainties can create real, fleshed out, overwhelming obstacles of fear, doubt and distress for us. But despite all the circumstances—as the children of God, He faithfully promises us something much bigger and beyond, if we will but trust and obey Him.
"And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee." Psalm 9:10
Trusting takes a commitment to controlling our minds, emotions, and actions with the help of Christ. It takes being continually renewed in Christ to have His eterna lperspective (Romans 12:1-2). Thankfully, God is the great I Am (Exodus 3:14). His righteousness and His decisions are all ETERNALLY holy, just and firmly established without the feeble crutch of man's help, understanding or interpretation (Deuteronomy 32:4). We do not have to distrust His mercy, promises or even His will for our lives. We can commit our trust to Him without hesitation—He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Committing to trust can be defined in this way. We are clutching to the ridged, sheer cliff by a mere handful of grass and slippery rock, grasping and straining to keep our weight balanced. All we can see is the fall before us, to devour and even pierce our life. Then our savior comes and offers us a rope. Now, we have an option. We can stay where we are and shift for ourselves. Or we abandon ourselves, thrust ourselves off the feeble "safety" of the grass and slippery rockhold and place our lives to the mercy of the rope's strength and our rescuer's strength and ability to pull us out of harm's way to a place of high, firmground.
Such an action takes placing yourself in a vulnerable, humbling position. You have to recognize your inability to shift for yourself. No longer do you rely in your own strength to keep you from being dashed to pieces—you are "risking it all" to the mercy of someone on superior ground with a better foothold.
Women! Our Cup Overflows
In the broad picture, as Christian women, we can perceive that our cup overflows. As His believers, He considers us His jewels (Malachi 3:17) that He longs to cutand polish into lovely, beautiful, exquisite feminine works of fine, virtuous art.
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
We have been "liberated" in Christ—saved—from the clutches of a putrid feminist stench to be purified with the wholesome lasting fragrance of Biblical womanhood—that is if we will accept this gift and set to work to make room for it in our lives! Jesus Christ has freed us not only from ourselves, our sins, eternal death but from the status quo of womanhood here on earth (Romans 8:1-2).
Because of Christ's standard, any Christian woman can enjoy and practice:
- The freedom of dress, by wearing modest clothing and portraying sweet, beautiful femininity (1 Timothy 2:9; 1 Peter 3:2-4)
- The liberty of speech, by speaking choice truthful and wise words (Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:29)
- The safety of submission, by leaning and trusting on the strength of parents or guardians to guide and be our protectors as they submit themselves to God (1 Peter 5:5; Hebrews 13:17)
- The goals of a higher calling—servitude. By dying to ourselves, we obtain a fulfilling, new life in serving the people God brings into our lives (John 12:26; Luke 9: 23-26)
- The understanding of great Wisdom—the Scriptures—by the Holy Spirit's revelation in our hearts (James 1:5)
- Fulfillment and satisfaction in everyday living (Psalm 103:1-6)
And so much more!
Our lives are not lost if we are anchored in Christ. There is much to live for, much to prepare for, much to do in an eternal perspective. Jesus Christ offered us a life of depth and meaning when He said, "Follow me."
Jesus Doeth All Things Well
Our Heavenly Father does not look at us as a lump of human statistics. He knows every detail of each one of us intimately (Luke 12:6-7). He has the advantage of knowing the end of the story at the beginning. We just need to relax and truly abandon ourselves to His mercy, His better judgment and His loving kindness—and get busy. Not only will we be much happier, but our lives will be more effective and influential in encouraging others to trust in the Lord.
Truly, we can trust that in the service of the Alpha and Omega—The First and the Last—we are not going to miss out on the very best for our individual needs.
"The LORD redeemeth the soul of His servants: and none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate." Psalm 34:22
Boldly we can sing the lovely lyrics Fanny Crosby wrote in the midst of hardship:
All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
