In me, I trust
In me, I trust. I know we would never say that during our daily devotionals, but how true is that as we life things out day to day? It’s pretty obvious our country does not endear itself to the lofty motto on our currency, “In God We Trust,” but how do we do as individual Jesus followers? Are we to judge others or start to work on that “plank” in our own eye? Jesus assures us in Matt. 6:34 that every day comes with its own set of troubles and challenges. Do we face them like the pagans do and as Jesus references in verses 6:31-32?
For most of us, we don’t like challenges and even change fits snugly into that category of dislikes. We can recoil at them or embrace them as part of God’s sovereign journey for us. He says He is there with us through all things (Matt. 28:20), but it’s not quite the same as having a warm hand to grab on to , is it? No, it’s a faith trip. A trust encounter. The Apostle Paul had a positive way of approaching these pesty challenges which we would be wise to practice until we get it down. But wait, you may be one of those strong, battle scarred saints who still relies on your own will, your wits and your limited powers.
The thing about God is this, He seems to like to lead us into challenges where the victory appears uncertain so that we can learn through this rough terrain that it is when we walk through the stuff of life with Him, we can handle anything. 1 Corinthians 10:13 speaks to this and paraphrased says that the junk we face is nothing new to man’s experience, it comes everyone’s way, God doesn’t exempt us from it, but He wades through it with us. And with Him, we will escape the worst of it with our skin still intact.
Admittedly, Paul’s perspective on experiencing challenge, pain and distress is a mature perspective. I think it takes some time and tears to get there. It takes a variety of hardships to get the process rolling, and it takes a trust in the knowledge that God is with us through it for us to see God prove Himself. Paul gives testimony of Jesus’ words to him (and to us) in 2 Cor. 12:9 with these words: “My (Jesus’) grace is sufficient for you, for my (Jesus’) strength is made perfect in your weakness.” So what I get from this boiled down is that Jesus is of no value to Superman because Superman thinks he can handle whatever comes his way. I am not Superman. Neither are you. Don’t try to be Superman. So that leaves us with an option, doesn’t it?
There’s no doubt Paul had an attitude about his limitations. I think his was smart. It had to have helped him in his struggles. It could help us. He invited Christ’s presence into his challenges. Paul went on to say “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, pain and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul wasn’t embarrassed by his limitations and the use of the four letter word “help!” How about you? The next time you find yourself trying to shovel yourself out of one of life’s “holes” that come your way, maybe just slow down, remember our Father is good and wise, and invite Him to lift you up the walls. “Help” is a great prayer. Heck, it’s a great lifestyle. Think About It.