It is easy to say I believe in something or trust in someone or something. But it is totally different to actually live according to or be moved by these things. I have found myself at a crossroads in life, a “fork in the road” type situation.
I cannot think of a time where I have received a birthday card or note of encouragement from my Granddaddy and Nona that didn’t contain the words found in Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” It is easy to gloss over these words but hard to live them out.
As a Christ-follower, I am to trust in God with all that I have. In a world filled with very untrustworthy people who are filled with wavering emotions and words, for me this causes me not to want to trust anyone, including the Lord. Now I have no founded reason not to trust Him. He has never left me nor forsaken me. He has never lied to me. He has never told me one thing and done another. He has never told me He loves me and then not backed it up with His actions. Yet I have allowed factors in my relationships with others (flawed- all of us are) to impact my trust in Him.
Lean not on my own understanding. This is very hard for me. I have always wanted to understand things or know the details about something before participating with, agreeing to go along with, or purchasing something. Before purchasing something, I will spend hours researching the product and comparing it to similar items. I am not talking about a box of kleenex or crayons. I am talking about a more substantial purchase. I will learn everything that I can about it before making a decision. I am trusting not in the advertisers claims, but in my assessment of the item. I cannot carry this over with me in decisions of faith. I realize my understanding is limited, whereas His is not.
In all my ways acknowledge Him. How do I do this? By coming to the fork in the road and asking Him what to do. Not polling my friends and family, which I have a tendency to want to do. I have to dig deep into the Word and recognize what He has said and rely on Him.
And He will make my paths straight. This is a great ending. A great promise. A certain and trustworthy saying. Who wouldn’t want Him to make their paths straight?
These verses are incredibly important to me and my faith. My wife and I are about to make a leap of faith and we are resting in His faithfulness. He is trustworthy.
How about you? How does Proverbs 3:5-6 speak to you?
I love what you wrote here. I am always in need of inspiration. Thanks