When Trust Rises
Going Higher to Get a Better View
What’s wild about life (among many other things, obviously), is that every day there are an unlimited number of things to think about, figure out, sing about, grieve about, freak out about, even.
But God, in his kindness, limited our capacity to bear the burdens of all the things, known and unknown. It’s mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually impossible to sort through them all, much less actually bear the load of every layer. Try as we might. 😂
But friend, here’s the blessing of us not being able to bear every burden: In our limited capacity, we have the opportunity to TRUST GOD in his unlimited capacity.
Because I follow Jesus, I get a choice: I can white-knuckle my way through my circumstances (of which I have no control over) or I can trust God with them. Either way, we are doing the hard of work of fighting for control, or fighting for trust.
The difference is the end result: the more we trust in our own strength and capacity, the quicker we will find our ceiling. But the joy of choosing to trust God is in the realization that with Him at the helm, there is no ceiling. There are no limitations to his ability to literally use every moment in our lives to work things out for our good.
Honestly, it feels like the perfect moment for a little pep talk from Paul:
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[a]) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39
Equally important, there are no limitations to his wisdom, his goodness, or his love for us. This part helps when it comes time to decide—and I going to wither away through my days putting my trust in my limited ability to figure things out, or am I going to move forward, choosing to trust God and spend the energy I would have spent worrying to serve others, show up faithfully in my calling, and love my family and neighbors (all things which are actually within our influence).
If you are carrying some heavy things today, I want to encourage you: trusting God will enable to you to more clearly see the world around you, not from a place of drowning in it, but a place where you can better see his presence and nearness in it all.
Just as there are often “lookout” sections of trails and roads that wind through the mountain, offering travelers glimpses of how far they’ve come, how much greater is the landscape around them than they realized, and time to gather renewed strength for the remaining journey ahead, trust takes us to the higher points of view. Trust transcends our limitations, and while being fully here in our reality, equips us with eyes to see the Kingdom landscape around us, which God, in his great care and sovereignty, is endlessly working out for our good.
“Trust sees God doing things here and now. Yes, and more. It rises to a high place and looks into the invisible and the eternal. It realizes that God has done things and regards them as being already done. Trust brings into eternity the history and happenings of time. It transforms hope into the reality of fulfillment and changes promises into present possession. We know when we trust, just as we know when we see. We are conscious of our sense of touch. Trust sees, receives, holds. Trust is its own witness.” —E.M. Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer
These words from E.M. Bounds on trust remind me that choosing to trust God is choosing to rise above the circumstances we can see, and once more joyfully and gratefully put our faith and hope in action as we set our eyes on Jesus, inviting him to do what he will with every area of our lives, for our good and His glory.
So, wherever you are today, take a minute to pray and ask God to take you higher. Tell him you trust Him! Then? Enjoy the view with me! And also maybe hold my hand because I’m scared of heights.
And trust can be scary! 😂 And that’s okay!
HE IS FAITHFUL, and we’re running the good race together.
Bless you, friend!
—Rachel
Welcome to this week’s Joy Drop! This is my little corner of whimsy where I share things I’ve come across that were life-giving or delightful! Whether it’s inspiring humans, hilarious memes, or fun finds, I hope this section brings you joy, too!
✨This video! Such a powerful reminder. We were not given our lives to rush our way through them, amen?!
✨These conversation cards—I just ordered these this week and we used them at dinner. Such a great way to talk about more than “did you have a good day?!” which is important, but this prompts so many more feelings/thoughts/etc. about tons of things!
✨These jokes that I am definitely saving to tell my kids. 😂 Laughter is SO GOOD FOR OUR SPIRIT—more cheesy jokes, please?! Tell me a favorite joke you know it the comments, I need to stock up! 🤣
✨These gold forks! WHY DO WE LOSE SO MANY FORKS?! Anyone else?! 😂 Anyways—I decided last year that any time I have to replace something, I want to replace ordinary things with more whimsy whenever I can. Ha! It’s really brought me lots of joy, but on a budget, ha! It’s the little things, ya know?!
✨The Gospel is For Everyone keychains! (pictured at the top of this post!) They are in stock at Shining Salt Co. and I can’t tell you how much joy it brings me every time I grab my keys. Get five!
✨This new book by Francis Chan-It’s the book rec of the month for the Life and Liberty League (my monthly coaching group!). I am just starting it!
Speaking of the Life and Liberty League, don’t forget that you can join ANYTIME! Get a monthly curriculum and coaching for only $37—normally a session is $150. It’s my favorite thing every month! We have a seat for you!
That’s all for now, friends! Talk soon! —R.
Rachel,
Thank you for blessing me with this piece this morning. Exactly what I needed to read after last night's coaching call. Thank you so much for being you and running this race with me. I'm beyond grateful,
Julie XOX
P.S. 1. Joke: What do you call a bear with no teeth?
P.S. 2. a Gummie bear. :)
Love this!