There are times when I like to drive the back roads. I get tired of going the same way all the time and just want a change in scenery. Also, in the back of my mind, I am ever in search of a shortcut or better way to go. Sometimes I’ll drive twist-y, wind-y backroads to try and cut off a few minutes. Of course, with all the curves and narrow roads, it rarely works out that way.
So, the other day I was out in the country, and I saw a railroad crossing up ahead. I noticed there was a warning light, so I barely gave it a second thought. I slowed down enough to see how bumpy the crossing might be then went on my merry way. As I drove on, I thought about the faith and trust I put in that signal light. Out in the country, who knows how well it’s maintained or if it even works at all! I trusted it though and drove right on.
I’ve heard faith defined as “commitment without reservation.” We go without hesitation or holding back. A common illustration of this is sitting down on a chair. Unless you notice a missing leg or broken part or it’s obviously to small, you sit right down without a second thought. You have faith that the chair will hold you up. If you didn’t have faith, you wouldn’t sit at all, or you might straddle it without really sitting on it.
The question remains then, what holds us back from having trust and faith in God? We sit down without thinking but following God takes weeks of prayer, soul-searching, Bible study, and conversation with others before we commit. Proverbs reminds us to “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Or, will direct your paths) (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV) If I can trust a chair, surely I can trust Almighty God, Lord and Creator of the Universe, the Giver and Sustainer of Life!
Until our next togethering, love ya!
Bret
