Originally published Monday, 16 November 2020.
Did you ever play the game “Trust”? The “victim” stands facing away from a group of people and is to freefall into the arms of the “trusted” and be caught. A popular game in my high school youth group, but I never could muster the courage to fall.
When I attempted this game, I would instinctively take a step backward to catch myself. Every single time. My friends would hoot and holler and I would laugh at my own inability to trust even my closest circle.
As small children, learning to walk with shaky steps, we reach out our hands for something to grasp. Our arms stretch for the solid support of our wobbly legs. The thrill of taking the first steps bring elation as a new perspective is gained.
I often watch as my children tackle something new with the same amount of trepidation. They each have their own fears and insecurities about the unknown. They look for something solid to hang onto as they take those tentative steps.
As our family has transitioned into the sea of pandemic uncertainty these past months, I have been reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight.”
Within these timeless verses trust is the pivoting point of our faith. Trust is being confident and sure. The blessing of this comes in our assurance that He will guard and protect. This dependence brings us to a place of solemn worship.
Trust comes with a price. Our trust requires us to let go of our own desires and be willing to live in obedience to the guiding of the Holy Spirit.
Raising my children allows me to understand the simplicity of trust. As they allow my wisdom to be infused into their young lives, they grow and develop character. Likewise, as I allow God to fill me with Himself, I continually am being changed to be more like Him.
Timothy, a student of the apostle Paul, learned at a young age how important it is to trust and listen. Walking closely with a man deeply in tune with the gospel, Timothy learned that submission and faith are key foundations of our faith.
The words that Paul penned to Timothy in his letters are full of parental encouragement and tender guidance. Second Timothy 1:13 says “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”
Just as we put our trust in God, He trusts us with His message of redemption, hope, and eternal peace. For those who belong to Christ, the precious gift of the gospel has been deposited into our lives. Not only are we given it for safekeeping, but we are to actively guard and protect it, just as God guards and protects our paths.
This relationship that is vertical in nature, immediately becomes horizontal, as well. While the vertical nature of it is most important, we cannot forsake the privilege of carrying out the work God invites into here on Earth. When our reliance rests in God, we find the strength and confidence He has given us to carry out His good works.
The never-ending love and grace of God pouring into our lives is where all the fuel to pour into others comes from. We can fall back into his arms, take a step of faith into the unknown, and share this trust, knowing it is our story to share with a broken world in need of hope.
Laura Sumpter is a native of the Pacific Northwest. She has been a teacher for over 20 years and she loves teaching children and women of all ages how to practically apply Scripture. She counts her husband and three children as the greatest blessings of her life. When she is not writing or teaching you can find her at the beach, in her garden, decorating her home, or playing with her family. Laura lives each day believing that God is faithful, no matter the circumstance. She desires to express the deep and satisfying hope that only Jesus can bring. You can find the lessons God is teaching her at her blog for-this-reason.org or on Instagram
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