“When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree. Jeremiah 29:13 The Message
I recently spend a few days with my 5, 3 and 2 year old grandchildren and was impressed by two things; their quest for understanding of their world and a relaxed trust of the loving care given by family. Keeping an open heart and fresh eyes, when spending time with children, can bring to life the wonderment and trust of these vulnerable souls.
It occurred to me that I could learn from these innocent children how to trust God. Their vulnerability allowed them to have freedom to wonder, to have joy and security with their world.
Vulnerability is true strength.
Children seem to know they are on the holy ground. Perhaps they are closer to it–literally. Is it something about their smallness? About their inability, their need to trust for all they are given? Is that what makes them truly humble? (By which I mean, not that they think less of themselves, but think of themselves less.)
Children see rightly.
They have a right sized view of themselves in relation to the miraculous wonder-filled holy world in which we have been set down. Sally Lloyd-Jones author of The Jesus Storybook Bible
Children are consistently wholehearted with their interaction with world and reliance on their parents. The first requirement of learning to trust God is to be wholehearted in seeking a relationship with Him. To trust God is a process of intentional living. The second requirement is to seek with a humble vulnerability, setting aside your protective caution to be open to God’s presence.
Trusting God will give us freedom from fear; fear that results in actions of jealousy, anger, sadness, worry, control, perfection, addictions, and the list goes on. The choice of trusting our divine creator not only benefits us spiritually but it also impacts our overall physical and emotional wellness.
What actions must be taken to trust God, and find the freedom of faith? 5 actions of a humble wholehearted pursuit to trust God will include an openness to embrace;
Truths of God’s Love.
Revealing of your Hurts and Weaknesses
Understanding the Character of God.
Seeking the Presences of God.
Thankfulness in the Worship of God.
1. Truths of God’s Love.
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Ephesians 3:17 NLT
The song Jesus Loves Me was a poem written, by Anna B. Warner in 1860, to comfort a dying child. It is based on Ephesians 3:17. My 2 year old granddaughter loves to sing this song and always emphasizes the word strong. That is a truth that I hope will be anchored in her young heart. This truth must be anchored in all souls for trust to be a reality.
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, “Let them come to Me.”Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.
Nothing compares to the love of God expressed through His son and empowered by His Spirit. The strong love of God becomes evident in our lives as we relinquish our control. Leaning our entire personality (heart, soul, mind and body) on the anchor of his love is like a drowning swimmer. The life guard can effectively save the swimmer if the swimmer gives up the fight to save himself and relinquishes control, trusting the rescuer.
Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,
determined to do his will.
And I know that I will not be put to shame. Isaiah 50:7 NLT
Setting our focus on the truth of God’s love will drown out fear and feed our faith.
There is a list of 93 identities of a child of God called WHO I AM IN CHRIST on the resource page. I encourage you to look at this handout as it reveals how God embraces you with His love and you become His child with a new identity. Accepting the truth of His love is the first step toward trust.
And you will know the Truth, and the Truth shall set you free. John 8:32 (amp)
So what about you? What keeps you from trusting the truths of God?
In next week’s post we will move on to action 2 we can take in the humble wholehearted pursuit of God, the R in TRUST, Revealing your Hurts and Weaknesses.
http:/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv3-TDdD1pM
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