Trust

Last night, I went to my favorite park with my grandsons, which is just a couple of blocks from their home.  We walked the paths, and they played on the playgound equipment, which includes a rope climbing apparatus with a crow's nest at the top.  The ropes are a little bit far apart, and while my smallest grandson was able to climb up and pull himself into the house, he was afraid to get back out of it.  He had a toy in one hand, and loose sandals on his feet, and he didn't quite trust himself to reach the first rope without falling.  So he called me to help him, confident that I would take care of him and all would be well.

Naturally, I was in flip flops, my usual summer footwear, so it was a little bit of a challenge and it took me a couple of minutes.  But eventually I got to the top while he patiently waited for me, and I grabbed hold of him.  When he was secure in my grasp, he came down without fear, and once he got firmly on the ropes again, he said I could let go.  He just needed that bit of extra help to make the first step, and then he was set.  His trust, while warranted - of course I would both help him and make sure he was safe - still warmed my heart.  In his pure child's way, he never doubted I would give him exactly the help he needed to get where he needed to go.

I have been thinking this morning about how his faith in me reflects my own faith in God.  Sometimes, I am afraid, even if I see the path in front of me, and especially when I don't, because it is difficult, or overwhelming, or seems to be a little bit out of reach.  But each time I have truly stepped out on faith, God has lifted me from the depths of my fear and confusion and given me the strength to do what he has called me to do.

One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:13,

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I have repeated that verse more times than I can recall through every single hard time I've endured throughout my life.  It has never failed to uplift me and give me the courage to continue on the path I feel God is calling me follow, even when it isn't the path I would have chosen for myself.

And let's face it - God's way is often not the way we would have chosen.  There are many times in life when it is impossible to reconcile what has happened with how we want things to be.  Questions sometimes go unanswered, because we are limited by our human understanding, and it can be impossible to see that there is a plan in something that makes no sense to us.  But that doesn't mean that there isn't a plan, or that we should be impatient and anxious about the ultimate end point.  In writing this verse, the Apostle Paul had perspective - God's plan will ultimately be right, no matter how difficult the present circumstances, and we should wait patiently on him to reveal his path for us.

I have heard faith called a crutch by someone who did not share my faith.  But a crutch cannot save you from disaster.  I told him faith is actually my safety harness - it won't do the work for me, and certainly won't prevent consequences for imprudent actions or poor decisions, but it will catch me when I fall and keep me safe in God's hands until I can get back on track again in the way God intends for me to live my life.

When you are living moment to moment, and life seems unbearably difficult, even though you believe you are doing what God has asked of you, repeat this to yourself;  I can get through every single thing life throws my way, I can do all things, with the help of my Savior, who gave everything for me.  Trust in God - he will hold you up, even when you can't see the way forward.