ChristMyLife.org - Trusting Him.

Trusting Him.

I rejoice that I can tell you that I have taken a significant step in understanding much of what I have written about for the past 4 years. What I mean is that I can see myself abiding in Christ, fixing my eyes on Him in a manner as I have challenged and encouraged myself and others over the years. The key difference I now see and experience is my heart and mind being filled or occupied with thoughts of Him at the exclusion of all else. My attention is on God and nothing else. Now that I see it, it seems so easy.

The simple phrase which most succinctly describes what I am experiencing today is "trusting Him." (There is a reason I put the period inside the quotes, which is a violation of standard punctuation practice that I will explain later). I would describe "trust" as complete reliance and dependence. In the context of trusting God, "trust" also carries the idea that you consider God to be fully dependable and trustworthy. In other words, God is perfect and righteous in all things and fully worthy of our complete trust.

An equally key element in the phrase "trusting Him." is the period you see right after the word "Him". The period indicates this is the end of the thought and there is nothing else which needs to be added, should be added or can be added. "Him." is the completeness of all things. This is a significant distinction because I am not saying I trust Him for "my job" or "my health" any particular issue or concern. To add anything to the phrase "trusting Him." is to limit our trust in Him. Trusting God cannot be a circumstantial or situational concept. "Trusting Him." is not a reaction to adverse circumstances or challenging experiences. "Trusting Him." is our life and breath. Knowing Him excludes all else. It's not a matter of evaluating the various circumstances of my life and then in praying and trying to trust God as we consider each item. No, "trusting Him." is all that I do and I don't need to give a thought to anything else. My heart and mind are turned fully to Him with no concern or thought to any person, circumstance or concern.

As I describe trust, I will include something here I wrote several years ago (why didn't I get it then?) describing the Israelites as they approached the Red Sea with the Egyptian army in pursuit. You can find the full text in the article "Faith, Joy and Peace".

The people were understandably terrified. Here, the mighty Egyptian army was going to cut them to pieces. What must have been going through their mind in this situation? They were thinking of being overwhelmed and overpowered by the soldiers in the chariots. Who knows what kind of destruction and pain the Egyptians could have inflicted upon the Israelites? There was so much to worry about. That's the problem. The people focused on the implications and possible results of their situation and did not focus on God (who happened to have a visible presence with them in the pillar of cloud). To have complete peace in such a difficult circumstance, one must know Him who is over all things and not even give a thought as to what "bad" things might happen. It's not that you consider worst that could happen and then overcome the fears and anxiety and then trust in God. No, you must be filled with Him; trust completely in Him and give not even one thought as to what might happen and simply trust in Him.

As I ponder these things, I am reminded of one of my favorite verses:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

What I have written about "trusting Him." is exactly what this verse describes. Remember, we are to "trust Him." not "trust Him for ...". We "trust Him.", period! To emphasize this truth, note what Proverbs does not say

Trust in the LORD in all your circumstances ...

"Trusting Him." has nothing to do with circumstances. It has everything to do with Him.

All things flow from Him as we trust Him. This will change how we pray, for example. Is your prayer life largely driven by your circumstances? What we pray for and how we pray must flow from God and not from our circumstances, just as our trust flows from Him and not from our circumstances. Let Him lead you as to what you should pray for or whether you need to just worship and enjoy Him. I think you will be pleasantly surprised to find yourself praying more, praying in a more focused fashion and praying for things you never thought of before as your focus is filled with Him. The same will be true of your worship as you delight in Him each moment of the day.

I can see clearly now why I struggled these past few years to focus my mind on Christ (previous to this time, I didn't even know a focus on the Lord was important). I was trying to focus my thoughts on Him, but I didn't trust Him so I couldn't help but think and worry about my circumstances and situations. It was a battle I could never win. I didn't trust Him so I was never be able to be content in Him and focused on Him. I had an intellectual knowledge that I needed to trust Him, but I ended up living my life my own way in my own wisdom and planning because of a lack of trust.

It can be a little bit scary to trust Him fully, but it is the best thing to do. Who are you going to trust instead? Yourself? Does it sound like a good idea to trust yourself rather than God? I don't think so.

I will describe how I see this working in my life. Rather than planning out my day and thinking through all my circumstances, I focus my complete attention on Him. I don't try to figure out how things are going to happen or what I am going to do to minister to others or try to live for God. I trust Him fully not knowing or planning what is going to happen in the coming moments, hours or days. What happens and what I do is not important or significant. I am fully content in Him and I need nothing else. I don't have to figure things out or have a plan. All I need is Him.

I feel so free as I look at myself and see how I trust Him. I am sure I will struggle at times as my faith is stretched, but I plan to keep my eyes on Him. He's the best. Why would I want to look at myself or trust myself. I look back at my life and see where I got myself and I am not impressed with "me". I am impressed and delighted with Him and that is who I am going to trust.

August 2004