The Question

Our small group has been going through a Charles Stanley study called "Pursuing A Deeper Faith". It is intended to be a 10 week study but we seemed to have turned it into a 10 month study. Anyhow, one of the questions in this past week's study asked, "What new insights do you have into spiritual growth toward intimacy with God?" My response was the following:

"Spiritual growth has nothing to do with time or years of being saved or going to a church. It has everything to do with love, passion, desire and choices. Everyone is on the same playing field. It just depends on which direction, if any, that you want to go. Some just face the direction they want to go but never move. Others run in circles because they can't let go of the world. Some run in the wrong direction, some run in the right direction. Some walk, some crawl, some just lay down. Many say the want to grow and I believe it. They just don't want to put forth the effort that is required to achieve it. It's not about reading a book. It's not about going to and serving at a church. It's not about praying before every meal. It's about control. It's about giving up total control of our lives to God. It is then that we grow."

After I read my answer at group I just felt like I forgot something. It still made sense to me but it was as if God was wanting me to see something that I wasn't seeing then. I woke up the next morning still thinking about that question. It stayed on my mind for days and then finally it hit me. TRUST!

How can you ever expect to give up control of anything to someone that you don't trust. I think the first key to spiritual growth is trust. I have to trust God enough that He knows what's best for me. This is difficult at times. When things are going smooth I often feel as if it is going smoothly because I'm in control and making all the right decisions and choices. During the tough times I find it much easier to trust him because I have already lost control of the situation anyway.

So, why do I find it difficult to trust God sometimes?

I asked myself this question. The first response in my head was that I've never had to trust anyone with my life. That was a stupid thought. I trust every person driving down the highway at 65 mph only 3 feet from me. I trust every airline pilot that flew a plane I was on. I trusted the person who packed my parachute when I went skydiving. I trust every cook or chef or grill person at every restaurant I ever ate at. I could go on and on. How can I trust a person I don't know, whom I have never seen, and who doesn't love me? I trust them with my life and don't find it difficult. So again, why do I find it difficult to trust God? He created me, he loves me, he has proven himself trustworthy over and over. I know him and I have seen him work in my life and in the lives of many others. He is all knowing, all powerful. He is God. So why?