Everyday, by choice, we extend ourselves to others trusting the situation, the motives, our ability to handle what life may deal us. Granted, there are times when we extend ourselves without choice, but then the trust is replaced with hope, hope for the best, hope for a soft landing, hope for survival.
This trust that we place in others, the situation, our own ability … what is it founded on?
As I go through the day I’m often barely conscious of the multitude of times I place trust in … well in whatever. Be it the money I use, the vehicle I travel in, the tools I manipulate to get a task done, the relationships I’ve built and sometimes the relationship with God.
Recently I was working through an art project and a separate business transaction. In both cases the circumstances of the work involved required me to place my trust in others and their word, their ability and my own ability to perform.
As I was working through then night to meet the deadlines I started reflecting on what I was doing and came to the conclusion that often I am willing to spend the currency of trust with others, with things or situations. Also I’m willing to spend the currency of trust on myself and my abilities but more often than not I don’t spend much if any of this currency of trust with God. The one whom I say I believe in and “Trust” to be with me.
Instead I give lip service to my relationship and trust in / with Him and then turn and “Trust” me, myself and I as well as others and things.
So I’m asking myself …
Shouldn’t this be turned around? Trust God first and my relationship with Him and His word and use this as a foundation for trust in everything else rather than me, myself and I and other people and things first and maybe God after that?
What a great post! Another area we trust, almost blindly, is the post office! We put our bills, checks, a few personal letters now and then, into this box–and really believe it’s going to be hand-delivered to the intended destination! Wow!
Thanks for sharing on a topic that is so difficult for me! What does trusting God look like, I often ask myself. Pretty much like that piece of mail–I have to let go of everything I want control over, and trust God to carry me and my requests to His destination, or perfect purpose. And He does. However, I have to re-learn the lesson every day–like a blank slate as I awake each morning. Time to learn to trust the Lord–again! And I can.
P.S. Love your heading painting. Did you paint that?? It’s great!
@absolutegrace – Thanks for the comment. Was especially taken with your phrase:
What does trusting God look like, I often ask myself. Pretty much like that piece of mail–I have to let go of everything I want control over, and trust God
Well said … certainly puts it in perspective.