Reliance

I don’t wish to sound weary 

and I hope you can give me the benefit of the doubt as you read this, I am rested and ready to go…

As I return to work after a glorious allotment of family time largely spent outdoors (including a bunch of twilights in tents), I am reflecting on the requirement to trust God.

When it comes to my kids I do what I can, and I trust God.

When it comes to my marriage I do what I can, and I trust God. 

When it comes to holidays I do what I can, and I trust God.

And now,

When it comes to preaching and teaching I do what I can, and I trust God.

When it comes to leading and guiding I do what I can, and I trust God.

When it comes to connecting with the community I do what I can, and I trust God.

Sometimes we are called to lean in, to put our shoulders to the proverbial grindstone and push push push.   

Sometimes we are called to reach for more, try more harder, raise our vision to impossibly audacious goals.

And sometimes we are called to humble actions that rely on God. 

The bible is full of stories of people relying on themselves, their ideas, intelligence, and insights. It rarely works out. 

I have found that:

Humble reliance on God avoids the encouragement of the ego.

Humble reliance on God leads to thanksgiving for where we see him at work in our lives.

Humble reliance on God diminishes expectations and so extends peacefulness.

Ultimately the bible teaches us that reliance on God leads to securing the very strength of God. 

I invite you to think about one part of your life you feel is heavy, one burden you are holding onto. 

Got one? 

What would it look like for you to humbly rely upon God in that situation?

This might take a while, first thoughts are unlikely the best (or most productive) ones here (Sorry Jack Kerouac). I suggest you write a few. 

Ultimately, you can keep carrying the burden or, you can humbly rely upon God.