How do I make trusting God the center of my life and leadership?
The Bible is full of stories of people who trusted God.
- Isaiah trusted God when facing terrible news (Is. 49:3-4)
- Deborah trusted God during demanding times (Judges 4:14-15)
- Paul and Silas trusted God during imprisonment and uncertainty (Acts 16:25)
The examples are plentiful. Additionally, there are also numerous Bible verses that talk about trusting God. Verses like Proverbs 3:5-6 which says:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
What does it mean for me to lead the ministry, family and responsibilities God has given me with a “trust in God”?
What is Trust
If you trust in something, that means you have confidence in it. Take for example a chair. If you trust in the abilities of the chair to hold you, you will confidently sit in it. In a similar way we as Christ followers should not only trust in God’s abilities and promises but we should allow that trust to lead us to action. But here is where things can go wrong. What is the “action” that God calls us to? As humans we tend to think that taking action means striving, doing and pushing ahead. Working harder to achieve the goal. Sometimes that is God’s path forward for us, but oftentimes trusting God means waiting, resting and submitting to God’s timing and will. Even when it doesn’t line up with our hopes. Be reminded of the promises of Jesus in John 15:5.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Many times our human tendency is to lean into our own energy and efforts, and to trust our own skills and hard work, which we expect God to bless. But that is not what John 15 indicates. It is not our energy, effort and striving that leads to fruitfulness. Rather it is abiding. It is sitting with God. Listening in prayer. Waiting for Him to speak, guide and direct instead of choosing to rely on our own efforts. Trusting, according to John 15, is abiding first and waiting for God to lead and make your efforts fruitful.
If you are waiting for a door to open in ministry, maybe the answer to your trusting isn’t to push harder and make more contacts, but rather to pause and rest in God’s faithfulness and allow Him to open a door in His time.
If you are waiting for better results or a changed situation, maybe the answer to your trusting isn’t changing your methods or starting all over again but rather seeking to remain in Christ and allow Him to fill you with patience, affirmation and wisdom.
God calls us to plant and water – He promises to bring the fruit. (1 Cor. 3:6-8)
God calls us to prepare, plan and execute – He promises to bring the victory (Prov. 21:31)
It seems the Bible is telling us that our trusting in God is not as much about our doing and more about our being. Our being (abiding) with Christ. Yes we work hard. Yes we plan and prepare. But all of that effort should be led by the Spirit as a result of our abiding with God. God is the one who leads, guides, affirms and provides. We can trust His timing and we can trust Him to bring fruit in proper time.
A value of our culture
Trusting in God is a value we seek to make central to the culture of Reconciled World. More than just words we hope that trusting God will be a pattern in our work, convictions, habits and actions. We hope that together we will encourage and spur each other on towards deeper trust and abiding in Christ.
Take a moment to review the following devotional and reflect on what Trusting God means to you.
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