Some people think it is childish to have faith in God. To believe that walking with Him makes any sort of difference in "real life." I've had a lot of conversations even with believers who seem to think it naive to take God at His Word. I mean sure, in general "trust God", but only while simultaneously letting anxiety rule your heart, being sure to build up your savings account, doing whatever you can to keep safe and comfortable, and for sure taking birth control so you don't have more kids than you want. And when you've exhausted all of your "control," you might write in your Proverbs 3:5-6 journal that you really do need God and want Him to lead you.
"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 path straight" is not intended to merely be a cute verse embroidered on your hand towel that you pass 100 times a day but that has zero impact on your actions. And "Do not be anxious about anything..." is not an imaginary concept that sounds nice; it is a command. Here's what I believe: it is naive to put our trust anywhere besides the One who is Creator, Beginning and the End, God Almighty, Sovereign Lord, God of gods, Lord of Kings, Redeemer, Shepherd, Overseer, God of peace, God of hope, the Living God. And if our trust is in Him that should be increasingly evident by our thoughts and actions. Do we believe God is who He says He is? God wants your trust because He knows anywhere else you put it will let you down. Our money, jobs, health, home, country, and loved ones are not meant to deliver peace. But the Prince of Peace promises deliverance.
The Word says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness..” Where do you seek first? Google? Friends? Doctors? Yourself? Jonathan has challenged me in my faith more than anyone else, because I have observed up close over and over again him seeking God first in some of the scariest moments we’ve experienced together. Like when our firstborn son was transferred to NICU after birth. Upon arriving in that little green room anxiety was ruling my heart and tears running down my face. Jonathan gently but firmly looked into my eyes and said, “Laura. This wasn’t God’s plan B.” He reminded me that God had full control in that moment and we could trust Him even amidst the unknown circumstances. Another such time was years later when we awoke to our baby girl wheezing over the baby monitor. I rushed in there and she was breathing abnormally like through a straw, I’ll never forget that sound. I panicked. Jonathan said we should pray. I was actually mad at him for it, and the next day I brought it up because I felt like we should have taken a more "productive" action faster. Jonathan told me that he was scared too, but he knew that God was the one who supplied Esther’s every breath, so the most productive thing we could do first was call out to Him. I could tangibly see Jonathan’s faith. And in that conversation specifically I thought, “Wow, he genuinely believes God has control and can be trusted, even in the scariest moments—do I?”
The more I seek God, the more I know God, and the more I know Him, the more I trust Him. Let me just say, if earth is all there is, there is plenty of reason to panic. And plenty of motivation to strategize how to live your safest most comfortable life. But believers, we know earth isn’t all there is. We don’t need to panic like we don’t have hope. We have hope. Eternal hope. He’s a person and His name is Jesus. Let’s let our faith in Him inform our actions. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Making it matter,
Laura Jones
