Tag: Proverbs

All or Nothing

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all (adjective) – the whole amount, quantity or extent of; completely take up with, given to or absorbed by.

One of my favorite scriptures that I lean on during times of uncertainty is Proverbs 3:5-6. There are times where I find the words more comforting than as a command to apply. While it sounds good in theory, there are times I fail to follow these words of wisdom: 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

As I consider the word all. I reflect on whether I have given my whole heart to trusting God. Am I really trusting Him with all my heart? Or just a portion that remains hopeful despite my current situation? Or am I just trusting God with the things that I think He cares about? 

When things don’t look the way I think they should or things aren’t moving at the rate of speed I desire and doubt creeps in, it is obvious that I am not trusting God with all my heart. During my private time with God, I am convinced that His promises are sure. Even as I meditate during praise and worship during church service, my heart seems so full of assurance. Yet there are times, way more often than I care to admit, I walk away with a little doubt in my heart. I think of ways I can help God out, as if He is not capable, creating my own master plan to make everything work according to my plan. 

What prevents us from trusting the Lord all of our hearts?

A wounded heart…

“Guard your heart above all else for it is the source of life.” Proverbs 4:23 

A wounded heart is a result of an unguarded heart.  If we are not careful, we can let the seeds of human failures, bitterness over unanswered prayers, frustration from trying to do things on our own and even the issues of life fill our hearts leaving little room for trust. 

A deceived heart…

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

Sometimes we are deceived into believing we are not worthy to be loved by God and are therefore not eligible for His promises.  We believe we must work to earn God’s love and His blessings. We are further deceived when we believe that we are self-sufficient and deny the All-Sufficient One’s ability to work on our behalf. 

An impure heart…. 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,” Psalm 51:10 

Our hearts can be tainted by unforgiveness, unbelief and unconfessed sin. The grudges and guilt prevent us from drawing near to God, making it impossible to trust God. James encourages us to purify our hearts so that we can draw near to God (James 4:8). 

An unsurrendered heart…

“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:10 

It is impossible to trust God if your heart is not surrendered to Jesus. When we have surrendered our hearts to Jesus, trusting Him with our lives, He will begin to work in our hearts. 

Jesus gives us the cure for our hearts through the greatest command, “Love the Lord your God will all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37). When we allow our hearts to be filled with the love of God that flows from a surrendered, pure, and open heart as we draw near to Him, He will teach us how to trust Him as we are reminded of His promises and how He has demonstrated His love (past and present) in our lives so that we can trust Him with our future. He is concerned about everything about us. There is nothing about us that He is unaware of or is off limits.  He wants all of us and wants us to trust Him with it all.  It’s either all or nothing.

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to an all-knowing God. He who believes in God is not careful for the morrow, but labors joyfully and with a great heart. He must work and watch yet never be anxious or careful, but commit all to Him, and live in serene tranquility with a quiet heart, as one who sleeps safely and quietly.”

-Martin Luther

The Perfect Fit

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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

I love online shopping! I know what I want and with a few clicks (depending on the site, maybe one) it can be at my door in just a few days. No lines, crowds, hassles or assistance needed. I have what I want delivered right to my doorstep.

While I love and prefer online shopping, I must confess I am not the greatest at it. Often when my package arrives, I find myself disappointed because the color is not as vibrant as it appeared on my screen, the fabric is not the expected quality, or the sizing is off (because I failed to read the fine print directing me to look at the conversion chart), or it fits but doesn’t quite look the same as it did on the model. Then there have been those occasions where after making my selection, I receive a notification that the item I ordered is on back order and I have to wait longer than I anticipated. These hastily made decisions and lapse in judgement often leave me questioning my purchase.

The problem is, I am so certain about what I think I want that I don’t take the time to consider the purchase. Do I really need it? Is it really the right fit? Am I willing to wait until the item is back in stock? Instead of reading the details about the item – the fabric, the measurements, the shipping origin, I proceed with what I want – far too often disappointed that what I thought would look good on me, is not the right fit for me.

The same can be said about our requests of God. We think we know what we want – whether it’s a relationship, career, or ministry opportunity, only to find out it wasn’t the right fit for us after all.

Sometimes what we want is not what we need. Or maybe, it’s just not the right time. God knows exactly what we need, how to get it to us and when we need it. We need to trust Him to guide us in our decision making – to align our desires with His. It may take more than 2 days to get to us, but when it arrives He guarantees it will be the perfect fit!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” -Proverbs 3:5-6

Secret Recipe

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My aunt used to make the most amazing barbecue sauce…the perfect combination of sweet and tangy with just the right amount of kick. It set off her already perfect barbecue ribs, chicken or whatever she threw on the coals to be doused in her sauce.

During her final week here on earth, she wanted to make one last barbecue. She sent me to her grocer to pick up all of the ingredients. When I returned, she put together her “secret sauce”. Instead of staying in the kitchen to watch how she mixed the ingredients together, I went about my own way…

To this day, I can’t get the right combination together to replicate her sauce or even come close. Had I just stayed in the kitchen that day, asked for the recipe, and been ready to listen….I may have learned her secret recipe.

This story reminds me to eagerly seek and get wisdom while it can be found, as God’s Word encourages us to. Often times that counsel may come in the form of a person, who as my grandmother would tell us, “has lived a lot longer”. However, our primary source of wisdom comes from the Lord (Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 2:6). To receive such wisdom, we have to humbly accept that we don’t know everything, position ourselves to receive such counsel, and be willing to receive it – even if it’s not what we want to hear…seizing every opportunity to learn from those that have gone before us.

“One generation commends Your works to another; they tell of Your mighty acts.”

-Psalm 145:4

Secret Recipe for Wisdom:

(thoroughly tested and approved)

Stay: Take advantage of every learning opportunity. It’s worth it.

“She has a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said….Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.”

-Luke 10:39, 41 NIV

Ask: If you don’t know, ask!

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. “

-James 1:5 NIV

Be Ready: Be open and receptive to hear.

“So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ “ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.”

-1 Samuel 3:9 NIV

For the secret ingredient, check out Proverbs 1. Enjoy!

Forever Grateful,

J