Keeping our bookmarks in Acts 17, I want to explore this trait of Paul's that caused him to be so courageous--it seems like it was part character trait, part devotion, and part faith--it was his undying trust in Jesus Christ. Yesterday's briefing included some self-investigative questions--starting with the jumping-off point of total surrender of ourselves to God--including your thoughts about His love for you. Most Christians realize God is asking for us to surrender ourselves to Him--and yet, surrendering all of ourselves just seems a little too intrusive. So, most of us prefer to hang onto at least some modicum of control--at least in certain aspects. "One of the most arduous spiritual tasks is that of giving up control and allowing the Spirit of God to lead our lives." Henri Nouwen

Last night I continued thinking about this whole subject, and I thought once again of our friend Jehoshaphat from 2 Chronicles 20. When learning that his people were about to be attacked on all sides, Jehoshaphat did not trust his luck first, and then go to God. . . no, he immediately went to God, threw himself and the people into prayer and fasting. . . he surrendered what would have been logical military tactics to God's most unique strategic suggested maneuvers (singing praises to God). Now, I was thinking, do you think it was easier to surrender to God's will and way because he didn't stand a chance in battle if he went at it his way? In other words, is it easier to surrender your situations/lives to God when you've done everything you've known to do, and nothing worked? Or do you live life in such a way that you surrender first, and ask questions later? ...an intentional state of surrender. . . I think that in the trying times in which we live--particularly our economic climate--our mettle for surrender is being tested.

Paul later writes in his letter to Timothy, "I know who it is that I have put my trust in" (2 Timothy 1.12)--do you? Let's dig a little deeper. . . first, because God is so great, so magnificent, so creative, we ought to deem Him big enough for anything that comes our way--He is worthy of our trust. Rather than bearing that in mind though, I think we commonly reduce God into a package that fits into our lifestyle, praying nice prayers, and going to Him when we need Him, but otherwise satisfied that we probably know enough about Him to get by. I confess that I don't know sufficiently enough about God. When you have an opportunity to look through a telescope at some of the galaxies that God spun into being with just a word, you get an idea of just how vast He must be. . . I took a water color class and when given the task of painting the sunset or a bouquet of wildflowers, I glimpse His creativity in color alone!

Second, God's great love for us ought prove that He is worthy of all of our trust--should we grasp it at all. In the last two days, I read a book I picked up in one of my favorite used-bookstores, called Ruthless Trust, by Brennan Manning. I highly recommend it. "The splendor of a human heart which trusts that it is loved gives God more pleasure than Westminster Cathedral, the Sistine Chapel, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Van Gogh's "Sunflowers", the sight of ten thousand butterflies in flight, or the scent of a million orchids in bloom. Trust is our gift back to God." (quoth the Manning evermore) God's love for you? Well, He takes such great delight in you, He will sing over you with His love. . . after all, YOU are the apple of His eye. . . Because of His great love for you, He is absolutely faithful, so He can be counted on--well. here, this might illustrate that aspect of His love for you: 'Seems a fellow was "Driving along the New Jersey Turnpike, and about one hundred yards ahead in the same lane was a Lincoln Town Car. He was shocked when he saw the right rear door of the Lincoln, still moving at full speed, swing open. The passenger threw a collie onto the pavement. The dog hit the concrete and rolled into a ditch. Bleeding profusely, the collie got up and started to run after the car and the owner who had cruelly abandoned him. His relentless faithfulness was not conditioned or diminished by the abuse and callous disregard of his master." 'Reminds me of the dogged loving faithfulness of Jesus in the face of our indifference to His affection. . . 'Trust Him? Yes, you can trust Him fully for He is unalterably good, unabashedly loving, and untiringly faithful.

This morning at a local leaders' prayer meeting, someone was courageous enough to mention FEAR--how it creeps in. . . especially, well, when we're afraid. (unemployed? living on savings? just heard the word 'cancer' or 'I don't think I love you anymore'?) Fear is not of God. (look up 1 Peter 5.7-10) So, when it creeps in--name it, turn it over to the One who redeems and rescues. . . and then, GET STILL for a moment and hear God tell you, 'Do not be anxious, for I have overcome the world! Place your trust in Me, Child. Stop carrying the burdens you were never meant to carry.' And then, thank God for His love, for His presence

So how do you build your trust in God? Learn all you can about His Son. Jesus said, "He who sees me sees the Father" John 14.9

Trust grows because, in Jesus, we see the face of God.

Jesus is our abundant source of trust. Why not make today be the day you made God smile by surrendering yourself to Him. . .

to His great love for you?

Go ahead. . . make His day.

Grace and Peace to you,

Christine