Have you considered the level of trust it takes to drive a two lane road? Two vehicles bearing down on one another, traveling in opposite directions, pass only feet apart. There is an unwritten agreement between the two drivers, who have never met, to maintain their course for the safety of all involved. This is the power of trust. Trust in following the rules of the road. Drivers are taught how to successfully navigate the challenges of transportation in Driver’s Education. We learn to stay on the right hand side of the road (unless you’re from Europe), stop at stop lights, wait at stop signs, and signal for turns. When we are licensed, we all agree to abide by these teachings and laws.
Faith is trust. When driving, faith is placed in the laws of the road established to bring travelers safely to their destination. It’s similar to the teachings of Jesus. Creation was made based on certain principles. It’s the source code of creation. Ethical behavior builds trust. Putting others first inspires confidence and creates opportunities as people enjoy working with us. Kindness fosters influence and compromise. These principles create success in our lives. Cheaters get ahead for a moment but burn bridges until they have no options but failure. Liars and manipulators may fool others for a moment but ultimately live alone and isolated. Self-serving practices go against the grain causing splinters and pain. The ungrateful and selfish stumble into destruction destroying everything they touch. Their appetites are insatiable, liking a roaring lion looking for whom they may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Followers of Jesus’ teachings find life and joy in their daily lives. Jesus shares with us the power of Godly living. Faith is put in God and His promise to bring good and life to all of us. Following His teachings, similar to the laws of the road, teaches us the standards of a good life, an abundant life.
When Jesus is in the wilderness, he is tempted to trust in his own desire. His own wisdom. He is hungry, why not turn the stones to bread? No harm will come to him, so why not jump from the highest point on the temple? He has the power and ability, why not use it? The key is trusting God.
That’s faithfulness.
Jesus’ disciples ask for more faith when Jesus tells them to continue forgiving those who wrong them. It’s the only time his disciples ask him for more faith (Luke 17:5). Apparently they struggled as we do. Trusting God will go against your feelings and best wisdom. Why would I offer someone an opportunity to strike me twice? Not only should I offer my truck to a friend who is moving, but help them also. Faith in God is freedom from our stuff owning us. Suddenly property, cars, and things lose their value. They rust and decay. There will always be something better and newer on the horizon. It will never end.
People are eternal. When we help one another we use our wealth to win friends that last forever. We enjoy rich friendships that challenge and heal us. We grow and develop a deeper understanding of self. This is not possible with a corrupt understanding of the world. There is no life there, only darkness and loneliness.
It’s faith or trust in God that frees us to live the best life possible. Jesus replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:20).”
I have struggled in the past with wanting to be successful and make a million. I kept coming back to Jesus’ statement about faith the size of a mustard seed. “Did I not have enough faith to be successful?” I asked.
I asked myself, ‘why do I want money?’
I wanted security. I wanted to be free from the worry of bills. I wanted to go where I wanted, do what I wanted to do. I felt bills kept me tied down, restricted me. I then realized I was depending on money and stuff for security, when I should be trusting God with that. I had bills because I hadn’t disciplined myself to buy what I needed and overextended myself in debt. I had built the stress and binds of debt that held me down. My stuff owned me.
I was the architect of my own misery.
If I perused becoming a millionaire, I wold lose my soul and possibly my sanity. I have found practicing Jesus’ teachings in business and relationships provides opportunities for more. God provides the opportunities when I am faithful to His teaching. I find ‘Life’ and a world with less stress, when I rely on God’s wisdom.
My responsibility is simple, remain faithful and trust God’s wisdom (found in Scripture). I will leave the job of God to God. He better understands justice and vengeance, His is far better than I could ever attempt. I will bear fruit in my faithfulness (Galatians 5). I will be a blessing to those I meet. I will pursue peace and dwell in the house of the Lord. He is my rock, my foundation, my strength. If the world trusted God’s teaching and bore fruit, we would see healing and God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
We will safely navigate our way home on the road of life.
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