Life with a High School Senior is BUSY to say the least!! And I'm not living her life...just trying to keep up with it!! Lots that I need to share here about my girls....
A New Year's Resolution (again!) maybe?
In the meantime, I thought I would post this writing that I was priviledged enough to write and share as a guest writer for a church that publishes a daily devotional email. What an honor!! (David informed me it was a little long...I can always count on him to keep me humble!)
Enjoy...
There is a popular reality television program running right
now entitled, “The Fear Factor” in which contestants appear in order to compete
for a grand prize. The feats of
competition usually involve the consumption of bugs, worms, or the raw innards
of animals; death defying physical challenges; and a mental challenge that is
designed to push the contestant to the very brink of their existence. It is amazing to me that people actually sign
up to be on such show!!
I think that we
all participate in our own reality show…The Trust Factor. Daily we are asked to place our trust into
hands of others and often others place their trust in us. We trust that the weatherman will give us an
accurate weather prediction. We trust
that our cars will start up in the morning when we place the key in the
ignition. We trust that the food we
consume will help us to live healthy lives.
We trust that the day set before us will bring honor and glory to the
LORD.
But what if our
trust turns to fear? What if we fear that our health is declining? What if we
fear that our job is on the line? What if we fear that our children will make
poor decisions? What if we fear for our aging parents? Where does our trust go
when fear takes over?
During this
Christmas season, my thoughts have turned to all of the many times the fear
factor could have taken over the trust
factor those many nights ago in Bethlehem.
There were many opportunities to be fearful...but trust won out!
*The shepherds could have been fearful when they were tending
their sheep, suddenly finding themselves surrounded by legions of mighty angels
proclaiming, “Do not be afraid!!” at the same time being asked to leave their
flocks in search of a sleeping baby. They did not fear; they had trust.
*The wise men setting out on a great journey, leaving places
of grandeur and positions of authority, no maps, no GPS, no restaurants, no convenience stores. No reason other than they had to see The King.
Yet, they did not know who He was. They
were merely following a star. They did
not fear; they had trust.
*Joseph, first time parent, standing by Mary’s side,
preparing to be the earthly father for the Son of God. Trying to follow the law, trying to provide
shelter for his wife, but being turned away again and again. Present at the delivery
of the Child that would deliver the world. He did not fear; he had trust.
*Mary, young, almost a child herself, told from the
beginning she would bring forth God’s Son. Kissing her newborn Son’s cheek,
knowing she was kissing the face of God.
She did not fear. She simply had trust.
I’m not sure which reality show you are finding yourself competing
in today…
The Fear Factor or The Trust
Factor. I do know that when Fear
tries to take over Trust, the Word of the Living God reminds us to Trust in Him. Psalm 20:7, “Some trust in chariots and some
in horses, but we TRUST in the name
of the LORD our GOD.” Perhaps you are
somewhere in between, your circumstances have you teetering between reality shows causing you to ask,
“Why?” Take heart, Isaiah 55:8 says,
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares
the LORD!” When fear creeps in and tries
to steal the joy that surrounds this Christmas season, remember “TRUST in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not unto your own understanding, in ALL your ways acknowledge HIM and
HE will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
During this Christmas Season when we celebrate the love that
God has given us, may we remember that love always trusts. In Christ alone may we place our trust.
“May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may
overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
May Jesus Christ be our Trust
Factor that overcomes our Fear Factor.
