On that sunny June day, I was driving my eldest brother’s car whilst following the moving truck he was driving – he and his wife were relocating from Oregon to Iowa. Being only 20 years old, my heart was pounding, sweating profusely whilst my hands were white-knuckled around the steering wheel. The highway was three or four lanes wide and I think I was in one of the middle lanes whipping around the mountains – I dared not change lanes as…
“Trust and obey there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”, is the simple chorus to an old hymn which comes into my spirit and soul at times of uncertainty. I will never forget the moment when I was in a place of uncertainty on a fast-paced highway whilst traveling through the Rocky Mountains towards Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. If anyone knows me, driving a car is not what I call a relaxing, pastime experience. If the truth be told, I’d rather be a passenger in any mode of transport.
On that sunny June day, I was driving my eldest brother’s car whilst following the moving truck he was driving – he and his wife were relocating from Oregon to Iowa. Being only 20 years old, my heart was pounding, sweating profusely whilst my hands were white-knuckled around the steering wheel. The highway was three or four lanes wide and I think I was in one of the middle lanes whipping around the mountains – I dared not change lanes as there were too many cars going the same speed all around. When I thought I was about to mentally lose it, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a little sign nailed to a tree that simply said, “Trust Jesus.” That was the encouragement I needed to “stay calm and carry on.”
My personal life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your steps [or make your paths straight].” We all know that life isn’t easy to navigate through. I’ve always found when I rely upon my own thoughts and feelings, I become emotionally imbalanced and my ability to think clear becomes clouded by subjective feelings.
Many times the imbalance comes from our previous trust experiences. Some of the thoughts and feelings we face are disillusionment or bewilderment, frustration, rejection, fear, worry, anxiety, panic, or anger, bitterness, vengefulness or pride, boastfulness, selfishness and impatience.
A few years ago, my family and I went through a very difficult and bewildering situation. On social media I wrote,
This morning is a different morning for us. God has begun a new thing for us that, though we do not quite perceive it, in faith we receive it. There are times when God causes his children to lay things down in order for Him to do the impossible through each of us. How wonderful it is to rest in the knowledge of God’s unfailing love as He intimately works everything out for our good. A life verse for us is, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart”, that takes love, continuing “and lean not on your own understanding”, that takes faith, continuing “in all your ways acknowledge Him”, that takes trust, continuing “He will make your paths straight”, that is a promise.
There are moments in life when you may be in the fast lane and unable to change lanes and you may feel the limitations of being able to overcome the challenges, but I want to encourage you that the best thing you can do is trust that God sees you, knows you and is with you.
You may not see what awaits you on the other side of the life mountain journey, the next chapter in your life book or what tomorrow morning may bring but be encouraged to trust Jesus.
Jeremiah 29:11 states, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” That night of uncertainty for me and my family became a morning of hope and a bright future. When your life seems to be “in the balance”, don’t let your limitations stop you from recognising your limitless God and putting your full trust in him.
