There is an old proverb, which says: ‘Trust in God, but tie your camel.’ It acknowledges the tension we often experience when we talk about trust – what is God’s part and what is our part? When does trust mean that we do nothing except let go and sit and wait for God? And when does trust mean that we become active and make some plans and start to do things and allow God to empower and guide while we are in motion?
A man came too close to the edge of a cliff, lost his footing and slipped over the side; as he fell he desperately grabbed onto a bush. Filled with panic, he called out, ‘Is there anyone up there?’ A calm, powerful voice came out of the sky, ‘Yes, there is.’ The man pleaded, ‘Can you help me?’ The calm voice replied, ‘Yes, I can. What is your problem?’ ‘I fell over the cliff and am dangling and holding on to a branch that is about to break. Please help me.’ The voice from above said, ‘Do you believe?’ ‘Yes, I believe.’ ‘Do you have faith?’ ‘Yes, I have faith.’ The calm voice said, ‘Well, in that case, simply let go of the branch and I will catch you.’ There was a tense pause, then the man yelled, ‘Is there anyone else up there?’
A man was having trouble with the concept of tithing. One day he revealed his doubts to his minister: ‘Pastor, I just don’t see how I can give 10 per cent of my income to God’s work when I can’t even manage my bills.’
The pastor replied, ‘If I promise to make up the difference in your bills if you should fall short, do you think you could try tithing for just one month?’
After a moment’s pause, the man responded, ‘Sure, if you promise to make up any shortage, I guess I could try tithing for one month.’
‘Now, what do you think of that,’ said the pastor. ‘You say you’d be willing to put your trust in a mere man like myself, who possesses so little materially, but you couldn’t trust your heavenly Father who owns the whole universe!’ That week he gave his tithe, and has been doing so faithfully ever since!
In the first story, trust meant letting go. In the second, it meant doing something and trusting God to take care of the rest. There’s a saying, ‘You can’t steer a boat that isn’t moving.’ On the other hand, ‘Let go and let God.’
Letting go and letting God be in control does not mean that we sit around and do nothing, but rather that we act on the promises of God and live them out. Trusting God means both that we wait on him for guidance and direction – and it also means that we get going in the direction he points us in. Trusting God means waiting on him for direction, and it also means using the minds and gifts that he has given us to head in that direction.
As long as we head in that direction in his strength and not in our own, as long as we continue to trust him along the way and even let him make mid-course corrections, we can be confident that we are trusting him and walking in his power and not our own.
Where has God been calling you to go – what has he been telling you that you need to be obedient to? If you are feeling stuck, if you are uncertain about which direction to head or how to get started, then I want to first encourage you with the fact that God goes ahead of you – he has prepared the road and he knows where the journey is going to – that’s a relief!
My new book, The Happiness Secret, is now available. This book is based on Jesus’ eight sayings known as the Beatitudes. If you would like to purchase copy please click here or call us on 01923 287 777.
May you know God’s grace all around the compass and the clock.
