I’ve been thinking a lot about my level of trust with God after the message Sunday.  Why is it so difficult to truly trust?

I’m not normally a distrusting person when it comes to people, although I know people who do have trouble trusting others.  Usually it’s because they have been wounded deeply; maybe even abused by someone who was supposed to be their best friend or spouse or parent.  I can understand that kind of cautious behavior to a point, but why not trust God?  I mean, what did He ever do to deserve our suspicion?  All He has ever done is love us with unending love and as I said Sunday, “wants to give us the desires of our hearts.”

There are really only a couple options when we consider God’s trustworthiness.  It’s either…

• Jesus really doesn’t know me or my needs.  He will mislead me.   OR…
• Jesus knows what’s best for me and will provide.  I will trust Him.

It’s ridiculous to me to say that Jesus will mislead me.  I would never believe that.  So, why wouldn’t I fully trust Him and in Him for my provision and guidance?  He has even issued the challenge for us to test this theory out (see yesterday’s post).

Are you trusting God to give you your heart’s desire this week?  He wants you to.

About six or seven years ago I first heard someone say to me that God wanted to give me the desires of my heart.  A group of us were at a small group at the Timmon’s house.  After we finished praying, Tim looked at me, and said, “God has told me to tell you that God’s going to give me the desires of your heart in ministry.”  Not knowing what to say, I stuttered, “Thank you.” Mr. Smith, a wonderfully unique former missionary said, “Steve, I heard the same thing.”

And now, just yesterday, I stood in front of Team Church Lancaster County and proclaimed, “God wants to give you the desires of your heart.“  God’s word says it plainly in Ps. 37.  But, just like I had a hard time believing my “prophets,” I’m sure that the listeners in the AJ Rec building Sunday had a hard time accepting that it’s okay to believe God really does want to give His best to His people.

I’ll be honest with you…even now I still find it hard to trust God that He wants to bless me, and you may too.  But listen to what Scripture says (The whole purpose of this message series is to give up our perspective and take on God’s):

In Malachi 3:10, God literally dares you to believe Him to pour out the blessing of heaven so that you can’t even contain it! And in the New Testament, Eph. 3:20 says that God is superabundantly able to supply far over and above our grandest desires.

All this adds up to mean that God is serious about proving that He will use the stuff we ask for to get our attention. If you dare to believe this, then  get up everyday this week  and say, “God thank you for what you have given me…thank you for what you have in store for me.  I know that you want the absolute best for me.”

Psalm 5:3

³ In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.

I woke up this morning in the bottom bunk of a set of bunk beds. Wednesday morning I woke up in a sleeping bag on the hard wood floor. It is likely in the next week or so I may be in a tent in the backyard or on the couch holding a crying infant. Such is my lot in life as the father of three girls.

We all go through different stages of life. Some are just strating out in elementary, middle or high school working on academic and social skills to prepare you for the basic needs of life. Or you may be in college, honing your craft so you can find your niche. Maybe you are recently married and you are discovering what sharing life is really all about. Maybe you are where I am with the addition of kids and all the craziness that entails. Or maybe your kids are gone and you are learning to cope with life as a pair again.

Wherever you happen to be, all of your needs from friends, family and curch are going to be different. But we all need two things: Jesus and each other. So talk to Jesus and talk to people today. Don’t shut yourself off from either. They will always make your day a little bit better.

On the Journey with You,
Scott

The Beatles song, Eleanor Rigby, Scott sang this past Sunday asks the question, “All the lonely people. Where do they all come from? All the lonely people.  Where do they all belong?“

Great question.  And there are answers.  I say “answers” because I’m sure there is more than one answer to this dilemma.  In fact, during this month, the sermon series called “The Balcony” explains that there are at least two ways to answer most of our problems…Our Way and God’s Way.  It’s really all about perspective.

Check out Isaiah 55:9

As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God’s perspective is far above ours.  He’s not caught up in the emotional states we often get trapped in like loneliness–He cares, He understands, He’s here to help, but He’s not overwhelmed and paralyzed by our troubles.  His answer to our loneliness  is objectively based on His wisdom and love for us, whereas our answer is usually plagued by self doubt, anxiety, and deep emotional wounds.

So how does God answer the question, “All the lonely people, where do they all belong”?

They belong in relationship with Himself and His people.

The worst thing lonely people do to cope is detach, strangely enough.  We do it out of shame probably.  But, God designed us for relationship with Himself and others.  If you’re having problems with loneliness God is reaching out for you, and so is Team Church.  Pray, and tell God your feelings, and ask Him for His answer.  And tell a friend or one of the pastors.  We’re here to reach out to you right where you are.