Inspired ...

This inspiration is not creative, it's spiritual. I'm gaining a new understanding about what trust is. I'm hitting the ground running with this "word" for the year. One thing that I look for when I decide what "word" I am going to delve deeper into for the year is confirmation through repeating themes that crop up over the course of time. One of those confirmations was a book my brother gave me for Christmas, Ruthless Trust, by Brennan Manning. I began to read it last night and I'm in for a journey - I was challenged just within the first few pages. I'll share one thing with you that struck me.

As Ken and I seek what God wants for our business and our struggling finances we have trusted God for provision in our day to day needs. He has been faithful and not a bill has gone unpaid nor have we ever been without a meal. The journey has strengthened our faith, but we believe that God doesn't want us to continue to struggle indefinitely. I believe God's heart for us is to give us our hearts desires (in His time) and some of ours require more stability in our finances. Recently my prayers have been, "God, please give us clear direction. We want to do whatever it is that you want us to do, but please make it clear to us what that direction is!" Brennan Manning has shown me that clarity is not the solution and requesting clarity is not really the same as trust either. He says, "Craving clarity, we attempt to eliminate the risk of trusting God. Fear of the unknown path stretching ahead of us destroys childlike trust in the Father's active goodness and unrestricted love. We often presume that trust will dispel the confusion, illuminate the darkness, vanquish the uncertainty, and redeem the times. But the crowd of witnesses in Hebrews 11 testifies that this is not the case. Our trust does not bring final clarity on this earth. It does not still the chaos or dull the pain or provide a crutch. When all else is unclear, the heart of trust says, as Jesus did on the cross, 'Into your hands I commit my spirit' (Luke 23:46)."

So, trust is almost reckless. Trust is faith in action, believing that God has my best interest at heart especially when I don't see the purpose or the direction clearly. I have to trust that He knows the big picture. I can't possibly know the why of my circumstances now. Getting freaked out about it shows my lack of trust. Clarity will not dispel the confusion or the fear of the unknown. What I can do is I can trust because I've learned that God's character is good. He loves me. He's given me a ton of promises that I've experienced to be true. Take one day at a time and trust for today. Plan for the future, yes, but do not spend emotional energy with concern for the future. That is not trust.There is a fine line. I'm not sure where it's drawn, but I think it starts with being concerned with only today. This is my one and only resolution for this year. I'm trusting for today, everyday. Easier said than done coming from a planner. If you see a post here and I'm not trusting for today, please call me on it.

We're taking some risks this year - the future is unknown. But there's an underlying peace and anticipation that I believe is from God and we're moving forward trusting that as we give Him each day and we seek Him first, he will direct our path.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5&6

"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33