Trusting God When It Doesn't Make Sense

Yesterday I posted about the times when we are afraid to trust. We have a host of reasons to have a problem with trusting, especially when it comes to relationships and when someone broke our hearts or when dreams crushed or when we’re let down by a sickness reoccurrence. But we have proof of those who weathered their crisis by trusting in God’s promises and Word and came out stronger than ever before. Their test became their testimony and their mess became a message that others witnessed and they, too, learned to trust.

In the joyous Christmas atmosphere with my fireplace warming me, my eyes take notice of this treasured figurine of "The Holy Family" across the room. It was a gift to us by a dear friend on the occasion of re-saying our marriage vows at Christmas. I start to ponder the unimaginable trust found in the Christmas Story. It’s a true story that boggles our minds. This true story is unparalleled in trust. God invited people from different stations in life to become a part of history. The lowly, outcast shepherds. An unmarried, innocent girl. An expectant husband-to-be. Well-educated men from another country. All of those characters had to draw upon some new level of trust and belief to become part of the “Chronicles of Bethlehem”. Each person had to rely on an inner sense of conviction. What they saw, how they reacted, and what they did, demanded an internal “knowing” that trust was the best choice, God’s choice.

Think about trust in the roles those characters played: Mary had to believe Gabriel, the angel of God when he appeared to her. She chose to say “Yes” to his message. Joseph believed that God spoke to him in a dream. Mary had to trust and rely on Joseph for leadership and direction. Joseph believed in her innocence. They leaned on one another for support as God continued to “direct their steps” (Proverbs 3:5,6).

Mary, Joseph, the Magi, and the shepherds had a choice. They believed the angelic visits. The star in the sky and the dreams were signs of God’s direction. Each of the characters believed they had a role to play and each of them relied on God's guidance. They were positioned to be a part of a miraculous and eternal story-line, and they submitted to it.

Now, here’s the “Chronicles of Dallas or Tulsa or Phoenix" or whatever town you and I are in today”, God is writing our story. Mary and Joseph only received one piece of information at a time. Still, they continued to walk in the grace and guidance that had been given to them. Trust enabled Joseph to marry Mary. Trust caused them to leave Bethlehem and travel to Egypt. They returned and lived in Nazareth. God guided. God provided.

What about our stories? Right now you might be right in the middle of trying to find your way in business, in relationships, in your health. Trust will keep you steadfast and immoveable -- not the trust found in partners in business or family and friends or even in the medical report you just received. Trust is our complete reliance on the character, ability, strength, and truth of God. It is simply the confidence that we place in "our all-sufficient One". Our pennies bear the quote "In God We Trust".
That is the trust of all the characters in the Christmas Story. That is the trust that God wants His children to have in Him. May we trust God implicitly, then trust our sovereign God to be in the people and in the situations of our lives.

Acknowledging Him = Straight Paths

“Before you arise from your bed in the morning, I have already arranged the events of your day. Each day provides many opportunities for you to learn My ways and grow closer to Me." -- God

Ever look back on your day, and because of so many distractions or needless worry, you realize that you missed the lessons God was trying to teach you? Even the most inconsequential events could be God speaking. I know He is working on me to be “present” with Him throughout my day, to know those little nudges and kisses from heaven, to experience Him in the beauty around me, and to recognize the undeniable times when He sends angelic protection my way. I sincerely want to live, even though I'm in the middle of traffic, or in a long line at the store, or writing checks for this month's bills -- in the KNOWING He's as close to me as a whispered prayer, and in that knowing, I acknowledge Him, and then I recognize His wisdom and direction in what I'm doing -- in ALL MY WAYS.
".....in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:6.