Trust | From The Committed Heart

A few weeks back, my family and I met with some friends at the beach. The day was absolutely gorgeous! We had our tent up, sand castle toys we’re scattered everywhere, and the water was crystal clear!

While our friend was taking our kids out, one at time, on the jet ski, I was hanging back with his daughter. She is 4 years old and this was only the second time I had seen her. The first time we met she was only an infant, so of course she didn’t remember me.

As we waded in the water with her mom and baby brother, she began to feel more comfortable with me. After ten minutes or so, I asked if she wanted to walk further into the water. There wasn’t much action in the ankle deep water, plus she had a life jacket on and I could tell that she was an adventurous little girl.

She took my hand slowly and cautiously and we walked out deeper into the ocean. I showed her, while she held my hand tightly, how to jump up right before the wave reached us. By keeping her hand clasped in mine, the wave had no power to knock her under.

However, there were also monstrous waves that she would never be able to jump over in her own strength, so when they approached I would grab her and lift her little body over my head. After another ten minutes or so her wall of hesitation towards me had crumbled. She was no longer waiting on me to ask if she wanted to venture out further, she was telling me, “let’s go deeper!” Her trust in me had developed and she knew I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

This precious moment reminds me of my personal relationship with God. Time and time again, He has carried me over some pretty massive waves, which has produced deep roots of trust and faith in Him. Spiritual growth is not formed under the tent, in a beach chair, sipping ice cold lemonade. It is quite the contrary. Spiritual growth transpires when we venture out into the deep. Where our toes can barely touch the sandy bottom. It’s right at the moment when you see a mammoth wave coming towards you and feel completely vulnerable, but instead of buckling, you leap up and God grabs you thrusting you over the roaring waters.

We live in a fallen world and waves are inevitable. The swells of life do not declare the absence of Jesus. No, He is always there in the midst of the raging seas with His hand open and available to grasp. Now leap up and trust Him. Allow Jesus to carry you over the rushing waves of life. Then observe how your Faith and Trust grows deeper!

“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,” ~Nahum 1:7

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Faith is put into practice when you step away from the familiar.

For almost twenty years we’ve been comfortable in our church. It’s where my husband was saved, where I rededicated my life, it’s also where I met and married my husband, then our kids were dedicated and baptized there too. We didn’t just attend church, we were the church, we were leaders and volunteers!

Then an opportunity came, a promotion to be exact! It wasn’t a surprise to us, I had been praying about moving for a couple years now. I knew it was coming and I wasn’t happy about it. I’m a family person, I love being around family, and making memories with them! One early morning, on my way home from the gym, I was praying. I spoke the words, “I pray Javi walks in your will….”, and as soon as the words left my tongue peace came over me. I heard God say, “You’ve been praying this over and over, I’ve heard your prayers, do you not think He’s in my will? He’s in my will because you have prayed for it.” At that moment my heart was ready to go wherever God opened the door.

Five or six months later my husband was promoted and we were moving to Georgia! Now we had to have faith for God to sell our house, help us to find a new house in a good location, and a new church!

Again, I faced a time of doubt. I was flat out miserable because I was doubting God. It was like I was in a depression state, a needy loaf, constantly asking my husband for reassurance. Day after day I continued to worry about our house not selling. Then one Sunday morning on the way to church, I heard God speak to my heart. “When you are ready to stop all of this, I’m here,” so out loud I said, “Enough! I’m done worrying and fretting, this is in God’s hands and I’m done trying to be God!” Again, within seconds I felt peace and a calmness that can only come from Him.

I would love to tell you that our house has sold, but it hasn’t! Now ask me how are you doing? Well, I’m doing fabulous, thanks for asking! Yes, I can confidently say I’m doing great because I don’t just know who is in charge, but I believe it!

We have visited four churches, in all different areas of Georgia, since moving up here last month. If our house would have sold a month ago we would be at one of those churches. I believe it wasn’t meant for us to attend there, not because it’s a bad church, but it wasn’t the church for us. I choose to look at our house not selling as God’s hands moving in our favor. When He closes one door, He will open another. We are on an amazing adventure and our faith is growing as we lean fully on His direction and wisdom.

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6