LEARNING TO TRUST, LEARNING TO LOVE
- Key Verse
“For the Word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” (Psalm 33:4-5)
READ THE PASSAGE
Central Truth
God can be trusted.
Reflections
I remember the day that I decided to follow God. I was mowing my lawn and recalling some decisions that I had made that I was not very proud of. I had come to a place in my life where I didn’t like the person I had become, and every piece of advice I had taken from my friends to that point had led to more destructive choices on my part.
I began to ask the question, "Who can I trust?" My friends and I were certainly out of the question as neither had proven to be trustworthy, and the mere fact that I was 19 years old ruled my parents out in my book, no matter how wise they may have been. This left me with God and, I have to be honest, I didn’t know if I could trust Him either.
Sometimes in life, whether by destructive choices we make or destructive things that are outside of our control that happen to us, our capacity to trust gets damaged. We learn through painful experiences that life is easier lived when we don't rely on other people - or God. The only problem is that by making the choice not to trust, we lose the capacity to exhibit and experience love, and ultimately, life.
As I said previously, that day when I was 19, I didn’t know if I could trust God. So I asked Him to send me a friend that I could trust, and graciously, He did. I have been learning to trust God more and more ever since. As I grow in my trust, I grow in my love - not only for God - but also for those that I come into contact with every day.
Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever had a crisis moment when you didn’t know if you could trust yourself or the decisions you were making?
2. Who are the people in your life that you go to for advice? Do you deem them trustworthy? If so, why?
3. Do you think God can be trusted? Why or why not?
randy
February 16, 2010 07:18 AM
Josh, cool to hear that God speaks to you while you are mowing, too! Thanks for the devo!! I am celebrating His unfailing love and a new song this morning... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im2CZ6xauX8
Tim Hawks
February 16, 2010 08:07 AM
Josh, your story is one that we all have to embrace at some time in our lives. You asked God to show up and He did. He is so faithful to do that. Last week in Haiti, we asked Him to show up over and over again and He did. I kept thinking, why do I sense such an acute need for Him here and not at home? The more we realize our need for Him, the more we have to trust and the more He shows up.
Jo Newell
February 16, 2010 08:56 AM
Josh, Thank you so much for your insight that when we choose not to trust, we lose the capacity to exhibit and experience love. That is just what I needed to hear today!
Laurie Carlson
February 16, 2010 09:31 AM
Thanks for sharing your story, God is faithful and trustworthy...keep up your good work with our college kids!
Kristen Tolander
February 16, 2010 11:06 AM
Josh, well spoken my friend. Circumstances through out life leave us asking who can we trust even beyond the young adult years! You hit on exactly where we are in our family right now! We are banking on trusting God to be exactly who He says He is!