TRUST: Take it Not for Granted
How many times have I put my full trust in myself or the obvious situations at hand? How many times have I tried to convince myself that I trusted God in the fullness of my mind without any reservations, but in reality, it is not for real at all?
How am I supposed to answer these questions? Well, the word TRUST has to be defined. (Do I understand what the word means?) Yesterday, after sending a graphic image with this verse, my best friend asked, “Do you understand the meaning of the TRUST in that verse?” I replied, “What? Can you share it with me?” (I am still waiting for her respond _.) Because of this question, I was moved to reopen where I read it. I repeated reading the chapter and paused for a couple of times to let it sink in and pray for wisdom.
Allow me to share with you how it has spoken to me personally. What does it mean to TRUST the Lord will ALL my heart? Let me talk a bit about the indefinite adjective ‘ALL’ which means everything or completely (no exemptions). If ALL means no exemptions then, in every decision I have - in relationships, work, habits, hobbies, thoughts, and motives are all included in ALL.
So then, the word TRUST in the Lord is not just a word to be taken for granted. Let’s jump to the 7th verse to enlighten us more, “Be NOT wise in my OWN EYES… So, trust in the Lord is NOT to think highly of myself. What’s more, it is to act with an arrogance that I know better than God. I am a person who is not so welcoming when it comes to sudden changes unless you answer my question “Why?”. Well, at times I am still resisting changes, because of evident attitude issues. This verse has led to check the condition of my heart.
Besides, the verse added, … fear the Lord and depart from evil.” To TRUST is to FEAR (revere) the Lord. It is to agree with the 6th verse, “In all your ways ACKNOWLEDGE Him…” It is pressing us to the act of surrender and yielding to His wisdom, plans, timetables, name it… ALL. Who is honest enough to agree with me that to do so is not a piece of cake? Why? Because it negates or impedes our short term pleasures that our body is easily responsive to. Not to mention, we think we know better (pride) than anyone else including God himself. I did not say, I heard you utter it, but it saddens me that our actions speak louder than our words. I am guilty of the charge.
Verses 6 and 7 added the clauses, … “and He shall direct my path.” “... and depart from evil.” are intended to be there to tell us that guidance is made available for those who TRUST in the Lord. Moreover, isn't it comforting that it is a walk with the God who from the very beginning has known the best for you and me. There are footprints on the sand to follow. Why is His involvement not fully welcomed? What else are we trying to prove ourselves? Lastly, TRUST is the way out of the schemes of the enemy. It means freedom from the danger zones.
All in all, TRUST is founded in intimacy. TRUST God who is willing and able. Mind you, it is founded on His unconditional love that He doesn’t want us to miss out. For just a snap-of-a-finger, as we open our eyes and look around, changes are inevitable - good or bad, still unreliable. If we truly care about our relationships, work, habits, hobbies, thoughts, and motives that are included in ALL, then let's entrust ALL to God.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you're blessed.