“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
This (Proverbs 3:5-6) is the first Bible verse I memorized as a baby Christian. It was a challenge from a co-worker. He gave me scripture verses to read and memorize as we met for lunch or enjoyed a run in the balmy Orlando humidity after work.
I thought he was interested in romance, but how much better is it that he was concerned for my soul. Or maybe he had simply learned to evangelize the wayward, especially the cute ones.
We did date a short time. And he dared to take me home to meet his parents. His mom said I wasn’t good enough in front of me. These were good Christian people, and I didn’t measure up. It was a gut punch for sure.
For sure, he broke my heart. His mother lunged with the dagger that cut deep, like many other church folk before her, and he left my heart for dead on the wayside. I’m sure he could console himself with the truth that he deliberately shared the gospel with me, and had not been inappropriate towards me.
That’s how I knew he wasn’t the one for me.
Technically, I guess, he had not sinned against me. However, he was not man enough to stand up for me. Watching him cave to his mother’s judgment and lack of love was all the proof I needed to end the relationship.
Actually, this young 20 something professional Christian taught me everything about the truth of this scripture verse. I walked away from this relationship having learned a valuable lesson, and began experientially putting into practice the truths I had memorized.
I am forever grateful for the lessons I learned through a demeaning and heartbreaking season as a baby Christian. The guy, and his family, were forgiven, but out of my life all the same. Yet faithful Jesus remained.
What does it mean to trust in the Lord with all your heart? And what does it mean to not lean on your own understanding?
It means learning to trust. That’s hard if you have been hurt. I do know that firsthand.
It means in the Lord. Maybe you aren’t trusting of people. Then at least learn how to trust in the Lord. The rest will follow. Place Him as first priority. Again, this is a hard learned ability, especially if you’ve been hurt.
But God is good unlike people. God is faithful unlike people. And He desires all the very best for us. His desires for you and me are not to meet your every whim and whimsy. His desire for us is holiness and wholeness. His original design for creation is His desire, which is to shape you and I into a bearer of His image.
Growing in faith and trust in God isn’t instantaneous, it takes time, perseverance and willingness to change.
It means with all your heart. People tend to give their hearts away so easily and so fully, but refuse to trust God. And people generally don’t desire God above all things (and people) until they find themselves broken and hurt. God many times is a person’s last resort.
See the point above. If we place God first at the core of our being, in the first place of honor, the rest will come together.
Matthew 6:33
It means not leaning on yourself or your knowledge. Now that’s a daunting challenge as we live in a Siri/Alexa/ Google dependent society. It’s important that we see technology as a tool but ask God if it’s also an idol. We should see education as a tool but ask God if it’s an idol.
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Matthew 6:33 NLT
I must responsibly see leaning on myself as being a mature person but ask God if my leaning has become an idol of self-reliance. God requires me to continually ask Him if I have kept Him first in my own heart. Or, as so easily creeps into my daily living, have I placed myself in first place of priority.
The subtleties of idolatry are challenging to say the least, and ferocious when left unchecked.
It means acknowledging God first and with everything. It means surrender to God’s Lordship over your life. It means bending the knee and bowing the will in allegiance to King Jesus.
It means forgiving people who hurt you, and setting healthy boundaries. It means letting people go out of your life, but clinging to Jesus always in your life.
Again, seek first God and His kingdom, and all that you need, and in His time, all that He delights for you will be added to you. Most importantly He will be your Father, and you will be His child!
Hugs from the fun couple 🌿
I love that, Jerralea, “God seekers listen to the Holy Spirit before they speak!” May I remember to seek God’s heart before I speak.
Thank you for taking time to participate in conversation with me.🌸🌿
Church people can be so cruel; but God-seekers listen to the Holy Spirit before they speak!
I loved when you said, “God requires me to continually ask Him if I have kept Him first in my own heart..” So important to examine ourselves!