I made a post on our facebook earlier in the week about trust. I took a quick business trip and had to fly. I don't fly often, but when I do I am always amazed at the handiwork in God's creation. The view from above the clouds is something amazing to behold. But while I was looking out the window of the plane, it occurred to me how much trust and faith I was putting into many things to make sure my trip was safe, uneventful, and arriving at my destination on time. Here is a small exerpt from that post:
"...it occurred to me that all of the passengers and myself had placed out trust in a number of things. We had placed our trust in the pilot trusting he was skilled and licensed and could get us to our destination safely and ontime. We were putting our trust in the aircraft and the airlines. We were trusting the plane was properly maintained and had no mechanical difficulties. We were trusting the air traffic controllers. We were trusting that they were keeping air traffic in line and every plane where it should be in the sky and on the runway. We were trusting the flight crew. We were trusting that in the event of an emergency, they would give us proper instruction and keep a level head.
Then, as I was thinking about all of this, I very quietly heard the Holy Spirit say, you should have this same level of unfettered trust in the Lord." (Mark 12:30)
When I heard the Holy Spirit say this to me, I thought to myself how short I was selling God in my mind. I don't have that kind of faith and trust in Him most days. Do you? I Hope you do. I began thinking about our promises study and trying to figure out how all of this applied to the theme over the course of the last couple of weeks. We have been studying how to prevent being overwhelmed and anxious. But...doesn't having faith that the Lord works everything to our good - for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28) - help keep our anxiety at bay and feelings of being overwhelmed from consuming us?
I would dare say yes. Yes it does. So, what is the problem here? Why do we continue to have anxiety and worry and feeling overwhelmed by life? What happens when we literally remove our hands from running our own lives and place the outcome of our lives on this earth into the hands of the very One who breathed life into us?
Jeremiah 17:7-8 - Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green and will not be anxious in the year of drought nor will cease from yielding fruit.
When we trust in the Lord, we are blessed. When our hope is the Lord, we are blessed. What happens when we trust and hope in the Lord? We are Planted by water. I believe this is a metaphor for the living water that flows freely from the side of Jesus Christ. He is Life. He is Truth. He is The Way. (John 14:6) When we are planted in His living waters, or another place He says grafted into the vine (John 15:5-8), we are given life. Just as plants need water, sunlight, and soil to grow, so do we need the life that Jesus Christ offers to us.
The tree that is planted by the water...or the person who trusts in the Lord...grows its roots deep and they spread out supporting the tree as it grows. As the tree grows, it is strong and does not fear what comes. It doesn't fear the heat of the summer sun. It doesn't fear the drought season where there is no rain. It will continue to be green and it will not stop bearing fruit. All because the tree is planted by the water.
When we trust the Lord...when we have an unfettered trust...we know where our hope is. We become like that tree by the water. When we turn it all over to the Lord, when we give our lives over to Him completely, then we have absolutely no reason to fear the times of trials, tribulations, or what seems to be a time of drought in our walk with Him. When we trust in Him and remain grounded in Him, planted in Him, and our hope is Him, we will not stop producing fruit.
The summer in Texas this year has been pretty mild...for Texas. We have had a lot of rain this month, which is unusual in August. In years past, this time of the year has brought dead grass, dead flowers, cracking home foundations, and just a hard time of drought. Those that depend on their agriculture and farming skills to provide for their families often suffer with the loss of crops that die in the fields before the harvest. Those farmers that have irrigation systems struggle to provide enough water through the irrigation system to promote healthy growth of their crops but yet they will have a harvest. You can drive down residential streets in Texas and see pretty green, lush yards and next door see brown, dead grass during times of drought. Do you know why there can be such difference in lawns right next door to each other? Because one waters their lawn faithfully. They care for their lawn to keep it green. But it requires water.
The roots will soak up the water, feeding the plants. The roots will grow deeper and stronger and build a stronger, better foundation for the plants. When we worry or are anxious or feel overwhelmed in any life situation we are essentially telling God that we think He isn't big enough to handle our situation. We are essentially telling Him that we don't think He can. BUT...if we are planted by the water with our trust in Him and Him as our hope, then we are strong..our roots are deep and stretch far. We can view the roots as our faith. Our faith supports us through it all. It is the substance of what we hope for...it evidence, or proof, of what we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1).
It all works together. I know for me, I will be examining my heart and my position to ensure I am planted by the water. I want God to handle it all for me. I want to unshakeable in my faith and able to withstand all the times of drought and still produce the fruit necessary to be salt and light to the world. I can only do that when I place my trust in the Lord and may hope is Him. My faith is the root system upon which it all grows. I have to remain in Him.
Father, we know that we fall so short of glory. We know that You are more than capable of handling all things that enter into our lives. We ask today that You show us how to depend on You. We want to be planted in Your living water, producing the fruit You require in us. Thank You for Your loving patience as we learn and grow in You. Please send Your Holy Spirit to us to help us accomplish what You have set for us. In the name of Jesus, amen.
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