The trust walk with God
Trust is such a finicky word. It is one of the easiest things in
the world to have, but nearly impossible to feel again once
you’ve been hurt by your environment or those around you.
What makes trust so hard though? We don’t like allowing
ourselves to be open and willing to take a chance that a person
or situation has the potential to hurt us. Can you think of a
time when you put your trust in something or someone and
you ended up getting hurt? What about the times when you
trusted and it turned out better than you imagined? Why do
we always seem to forget about these moments?
My idea of a “trust walk” came about a few years ago when I decided to really give this Jesus path my 100. One thing about myself is, that when I get hurt I tend to hold onto it for some time. The idea of trusting again takes a while for me to do. So to work on this, I decided you know what, I really truly hate surprises, but can I trust God enough to allow Him to surprise me? I would pray God, show me a good surprise, help me to accept your gift of surprise. One day it happened! GOD SURPRISED ME AND IT DIDN’T HURT! I was having a hard day. A day where nothing could go right. I wondered why am I even leaving this bed today, but I did leave my bed and off for my usual coffee I went. I ended up meeting a peculiar stranger who brightened my day with a conversation about my hometown and finished off the interaction surprising me by paying for my coffee. The first time that had ever happened to me, and just like that my day had been made better. While this small interaction may seem little, I knew because of the conversation, God had a hand in that interaction. Sometimes the surprises God throws our way can be the most unexpected blessing you didn’t know you needed, for example, God leading me into seminary. This was not a path I ever thought I would be on for many reasons, but it’s a path I didn’t understand I needed, and can’t imagine doing anything else now. The best surprise is God truly does know what is best for us and we can experience this a little at a time just by simply listening. Wednesday was my first time ever standing in front of a group of people alone and speaking, let alone speaking…teaching about God! Up until that moment, I was a ball of nerves and truly did not think I would be able to do something so big. I made myself stay in constant connection with God. Anytime I was overwhelmed I’d turn to Jesus music, feeling scared, the Bible, not knowing what to do I’d use God’s call to help. God surprised me by not leaving me in any of those moments. The biggest moment was when I started to speak. I can now see God even more with me and the excitement to see what’s next with Him makes me feel like a child! He has slowly opened my mind, eyes, and heart to trust His next steps for me and Him together.
Slowly I am seeing through my experience and the time spent in God’s word. That God is the most consistent comfort you can have in life. Walking with God has been such an eye-opening experience. For the last four years I have truly been dedicated to learning and following God and what this walk has shown me; nothing is as it seems and trust is needed not only in God but that God is truly seeking a personal walking relationship with each of us. When we learn to walk in trust with God we slowly start to develop that trust walk with others. My favorite lesson I have learned is to trust in the notion that God loves to surprise us in the best ways.
The hardest concept I’ve struggled with is that God will not disappoint us as humans do. What I have found to understand is control is a big issue behind that or rather the lack of control we may have. Saying a prayer to God, God help me teach me to to accept your good surprises in life. Suddenly one thing at a time I started to see new doors and possibilities open. Now I am someone who experiences the feeling of Christmas morning anytime I see a surprise God has thrown in my direction. I went from being a hermit who was scared of the world to an outgoing person who seeks out God and His goodness in all things.
In Nehemiah chapter 2 we see a glimpse of how humanity is supposed to be, working together to help rebuild what was broken which was the wall in Jerusalem. An important part of this story is that we see face-to-face connection in order to build up a group of people. Different people came together to rebuild the Wall of Jerusalem, each doing their part to support the body of the wall’s foundation. It’s a beautiful sight to see when we are working together for no other reason than to accomplish a goal together. Just as Nehemiah shows us being vulnerable and asking for help to build that broken wall, God will be there to help rebuild our trust walls with Him, ourselves, and others.
Just as Christ teaches us we are one body with many parts and each part has its own importance. While each part can function on its own, you’ll never see its full potential unless it works its part for the body to function as one. My fingers are great. I can pick up objects and write, but without the other part of my hand, I can’t lift, I can’t throw, I can’t grasp; I can’t fully understand its importance without the other part. Doing our part so our brother and sister can elevate is the definition of humanity in the world of Jesus.
Nehemiah chapter 4 the people work with all their heart. Working for God will, at times, make people angry around you. We see in Nehemiah as the process of repairing the wall begins it stirs up those around to react. We can show others through our trust walk how to do the same for themselves and their community. While walking in trust causes us to be vulnerable it also opens the door of opportunity for an exciting new relationship with God and others. Start that first step with God, it’s worth it.
Until next time
Kristen.
