By Pastor Steve Nickodemus
Trust in the Lord…
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 English Standard Version
Have you ever been confronted with a life changing, scary, confusing piece of news? The news can take many different forms: Cancer, heart attack, war, crash, betrayal, violence, pain, murder, bankruptcy, hospice, death. The announcement of what has just happened rocks you to your very core. The reality of the crisis can leave you feeling numb or paralyzed or full of aching sadness and indescribable hurt and grief.
Many years ago a dear friend and Christian teacher was diagnosed with severe, advance cancer. In the midst of the shock and trauma, Betty did what she had learned to do in every difficult situation – pray. At the same time she heard the news and began praying, her dear mother began praying for her.
When the two women contacted each other the next day, the Lord had given them both the same Bible verse, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Over the next days and weeks and months these two women again and again actively trusted in the Lord, not trying to understand why this cancer had happened, but leaning on God’s mercy and peace in Jesus Christ. Many were encouraged to pray these two verses and trust in the Lord.
When Betty died some months later, many of us wore T-shirts inscribed with these Bible verses. We had all lived through this situation by trusting in the Lord’s wisdom and comfort. We took the attitude of children, not questioning the circumstances, but leaning on Jesus.
Are you in a terrible, terrifying crisis? Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. No matter where the path of life may take you, trust in Jesus. For Jesus not only is directing our way, he is our way. We trust in his unfailing love no matter what the outcome may be. Amen.
Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado
