God's Open Invitation

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (New American Standard Bible)

I am having one of those mornings when the questions are beginning to pile up in my mind and I am finding myself with few answers. It is times like this when I am forced to admit to myself that I do not have it all figured out and that can bring about an uneasiness within me. When things do not make sense to me I don’t always know what to do with them. When my thinking has been skewed I don’t always untangle the knots well.

I have come across verses from the Bible and sentences from books that I can’t seem to wrap my mind around. The concepts are coming up against some preconceived ideas and distorted thinking I possess. Allow me to list a few.

Jesus says in Revelation 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” From a human stand point, I don’t take rebuke well when it comes from another individual because it seems like condemnation. So when I read Jesus’ words I squirm with discomfort. Even though my head tells me it is for my good and growth, my heart cowers.

A number of sources I have read this morning warn against seeking the advice of others instead of looking to God. I struggle with the balance. While I know we are to encourage one another, I somehow think I am suppose to not need that and when I seek it I am doing something wrong.

I want to grasp the concept that someone can care about me without being involved in my life. Changes in relationships usually have a negative connotation for me even if I know it is for my own well being or part of God’s design for this present part of my journey.

Because I am so acutely aware of my faults and failures, I tend to not notice or acknowledge progress that has been made in my walk with God. I don’t always realize that even if I don’t see it, He does.

Yet, in the midst of my questions and inability to fully grasp the concepts, I am drawn to the words of today’s verse. I am invited to trust Him instead of depending on myself to get it all figured out and straightened out. In essence, He is saying, “You don’t have to understand it all to reap the benefits of living out of its truths. Trust Me and trust my principles. It is not a matter of you being able to do something or the people in your life being able to do something, it is a matter of knowing I can do all things necessary in your life. I am not expecting perfection or brilliance from you. As much as I am aware of your insecurities and failures, you must be aware of my Person, Power, and Presence. I will help you. Trust Me.“

Father, You know that I don’t understand. Help me to trust You. Amen.