Do I Really Trust Him?

Pastor Kirk Statler – North English Christian Church
November 2007

“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him,
and He will do it.”  Proverbs 3:5

Not that long ago I was headed home in my car, listening to a noted preacher talk about walking and living in the uncertainties of life.  The message was good, but his concluding point was absolutely shocking to me as he stated, “I have learned to trust God to take me to the places I would never go alone.”

I’ve always felt that I trusted God, but this was an entirely new level for me to consider.  Remember being a child?  Remember the places you would never go alone, like, the basement, the cemetery, into any building at night, or past “the bullies” at school?  Just what was it that kept us from going there?  It was a firm belief that we were entirely, completely alone, and the fear that we’d really be in trouble if anyone…anything…unfriendly showed up!

The preacher’s statement says clearly that not only will God always be with me in those times of potential “aloneness,” but that God will actually take me there…if that’s where I need to go.  And contrary to what human reasoning would conclude, that God would be somewhat mean or cruel to do such a thing, He is actually motivated by only one thing on these uncomfortable (for us) journeys: His Love for Us.

You see, as our Heavenly Parent, it’s not enough just to take your kids where they want to go.  It’s sure to score points with the kids, but at times, just going to the “fun” places isn’t going to accomplish what needs to be accomplished.  There come times (more frequently as they get older) where they must go places that they don’t want to go, deal with situations they’d rather avoid, stand up for themselves when they’d rather run, personally face the giants in their lives when they’d rather send someone else, and embrace the privileges and responsibilities of a moment…totally secure that they never have to do it alone.

It is our privilege…our responsibility…to help make these moments occur for our kids, but it is also our privilege and responsibility to provide security, peace and confidence to those moments by assuring them that they are never alone.  So it is with God.  There are things He must allow, knowing full well that they’ll be difficult, because frankly, we need to “grow up.”  As 2007 draws to a close, may we gain confidence from knowing that we can always trust Him  completely to never leave us alone.  Whatever you’re tempted to turn away from, may I recommend that you turn to Him first, and gain the confidence you need to go to “those places” – with Him – the places that guarantee we’re becoming more and more like Jesus Christ!

Enjoy Pastor Statler's October Message here

Enjoy Pastor Statler's September Message here

Enjoy Pastor Statler's August Message here