Is your Trust—a noun or a verb?

Trust (n). reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; a person on whom or thing on which one relies.

As Christians, we grab hold of God and in him we find our trust. In that case, it is a noun. It is a thing and it is permanent. If this is true, then why does Satan sway us?

"Satan hurls fear and reminders of our failure and watches what we do. Satan is not all knowing. Our response should be, 'I know I have failed before and that is why I give this to your Lord. This will be done through YOU not me.' Is our own real enemy our trust in God?" (sermon notes 10/8/10)

Trust (v). to rely upon or place confidence in someone or something.

You see, we are using trust as a verb; we are using trust as an action and doing it over and over again. Why? Do we think God wavers? Do we not rely on His strength, His ability, and His surety? Think of trust as a noun, trust is something we grab hold of and never let go.

Life should be thought of as one of those amazing bridges that span a great divide. It is made of flimsy wood—us, and the ropes that hold it together—God. As you walk across that bridge of life are you going to only grab the rope when you falter? Not me! I don't even want to walk the bridge without the ropes, and I am going to hang on to them all the way. The only thing that will change is how firm I grip. For me, the rope, the trust is always there. It is a thing, a noun. I choose not to go through life grabbing the rope only when I have nothing else.

Your view of the rope bridge

Are you thinking your rope bridge looks like this? Look at those lovely sturdy planks of your life. You've got it made, right? No gaps in your walk with God. No need to hold the rope. That is what Satan would love for you to believe.

How God sees your rope bridge.

In reality, our bridge probably looks more like this. Mine does. Notice the big gaps in my right walking with God. I need the rope. I need to trust all the way through this life. My trust is a noun. Trust is a sure thing to which I have grabbed hold and I'm not letting go.

God is Love

Many people's view of God is about his power. He created all things, he oversees and controls all things. God has power but scripture doesn't say God is power. Scripture says God is love. The idea of a power god is wrong—it is upside down. God says those who serve and are more relational have the heart of God. Our world wants us, particularly women, to believe we need to the the top of the power pyramid. How many women have control issues? Myself included.

God's world is just the opposite. If we put ourselves at the bottom of the power pyramid and get relational with God, He will work through us, that is where the power is really located. God is a lover, Jesus is the beloved, and the Holy Spirit is the love between them. God created us for love not power. God created us for relationship not control, because God is love. (sermon notes 8/15/10)

A New Direction

It has been a long time since I have been here blogging. In that time much has happened, but what is most noteworthy to me is a true lifestyle change. Last year's decision to move to a single story home, and my decision to change jobs, created quite a lot of emotional stress to our lives. I threw myself into God's Word and determined I had to start each day with Him. I have grown to love my early morning quiet time. I have filled at least a couple of journals in a year, and I have more stashed away throughout the house. I began to wonder what to do with them.

It must be noted that my father passed away in this last year. One more stresser in my life. Helping my siblings clean out the house has been very eye-opening. So much stuff kept and for what purpose? So many things might have interest for the moment, but they are tossed on the burn pile. Thus my wondering what value my journals had once they are filled. No one will read them; they won't have meaning to anyone else. These journals will one day end up in the trash. How many of them are tucked away in my attic or file cabinet? Is there anything of note in them?

My church journal, the one where I take notes during services, was the first to be reviewed as it was the most recent to be filled. The first entry in this journal is dated 4/10/10. The length of time it took me to fill this steno pad journal is in no way a comment on the teaching at my church. It is a comment on my frame of mind and ability to engage enough to take notes. This journal contains a few grocery lists and to-do lists. In God's house I felt a need to unload my burdens on him, so it contains some lengthy prayers. And it contains some spiritual gems.

It is the gems that inspired me to transform my blog. The name of the blog is still very appropriate, but the focus will shift. I see God everywhere these days, not only in my journal notes, but at my job, in my family, even in sharing time around the table.

Join me in a new journey of Reflections.