Hebrews 13:15-16
Trust is something you give someone. When we offer our trust to God, it is not a, "Come through or I won't trust you anymore" situation. It is a gift that shouldn't be taken back, one with which we say, "I will trust You even though I may not see You working."
I'm reading a book called, "Sacred Pathways," written by Gary Thomas. In it, Thomas explains different ways our souls can connect to God - through solitude, celebration, nature, etc. Many of us find that one pathway leads us to worship better than another. I just finished the chapter on Traditionalists, those who connect to God best through ritual and symbolism. These sentences jumped out at me.
"Traditionalists remind us that we have turned our faith inside out. “Faith” today is often seen as a tool to get something special from God. Historically a man or woman of faith is one who was willing to give something precious to God. When the traditionalist incorporates the idea of sacrifice into his or her daily life, a key component of Christianity is modeled and preserved."
Gary Thomas, Sacred PathwaysThis is why seasons like Lent can be so hard. During times of fasting, we offer a sacrifice to God - a gift of faith. We say, "Here I am, Lord. No strings attached." Yet I (and maybe you) often want to add, "But it would be awesome if You would bless me in a special way during this time." The point of sacrifice is to honor God. Honoring God from a pure heart can only draw us closer to Him, which is the end goal of the Christian life, is it not?
Many of us have found, however, that fasting can be a time of silence - not just from ourselves, but from God. He feels distant. The austerity of deprivation can emphasize the austerity of God's holiness, which seems to detract from His characteristics as Father and Friend.
Think about this, though, that we do not give our trust to someone who hasn't earned it. When you call up a friend to tell her sensitive news, you better be sure she has your back - and isn't biting it.
All it comes down to, then, is do you think God has earned your trust? Has He been faithful to you? Has He ever broken His promises?
When you offer a sacrifice of faith to God, you are trusting that He is righteous, good and faithful. You give it to Him, no questions asked, and know that He will do what needs to be done.
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