Thursday, January 2, 2014

Trust

Madeleine L'Engle wrote that she would pray the Jesus prayer when she found her mind wandering during prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner." I once adopted that. My mind wanders a lot, of this I am aware. What happened so gradually over the course of my life that I didn't notice is that my entire focus wandered. Not just my thoughts during prayer or worship. Not just my thoughts watching a movie or during a boring conversation. My entire focus has wandered off. What I see before my eyes now is a big, fat, ugly word.


It's so big and obvious that I can't see much else. I walk in its shadow. I filter most of what I do through it, envisioning disaster, sorrow, pain. So when I stumbled upon this idea of focusing on one word every day for a year through One Word 365, I was instantly intrigued. I have friends preparing to read through the Bible this year. I need to start a little smaller. One word. But which word? There are many I have thought of. But one stands out because in order to Grieve, Live, Embrace, Grow, Love, I must Trust.

So here is a new word to focus on. A new truth to filter everything through. The filter of trust.



The Lord is my strength. (Ex 15:2)
Rest is found in Christ. (Mt 11:28)
Unless we go through Christ, we cannot go to the Father. (Jn14:6)
Straight are the paths He lays before me. (Pr 3:6)
Today is the only day I have. (Jms 4:13-17)

I must trust that the Lord's ways are good. I must trust in His sovereignty. I must trust that He is at work in me "both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). This used to be a fairly easy thing for me to understand. I cannot go back to who I once was, but I can continue on into the future, each day becoming more the woman God intends for me to be. Resting in His faithfulness, goodness, strength. Glorifying Him and enjoying Him forever (Westminster Shorter Catechism #1). Thankful (another great word) for His Grace, Mercy, Love, Presence.

A new journey. A new beginning. Nothing's really changing. Just my focus.



5 comments:

  1. I'm your neighbor at One Word 365 and thought I'd pop in here and introduce myself. I am also so easily distracted myself, I could immediately relate to your first paragraph. And all the others as I am also focusing on Trust this year. It's lovely to meet you and I'm expectant about the future. You?

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    1. Hi, Shelly! I am very excited about the potential for growth this year through focusing on what it means to trust God in all areas of my life. I am so forgetful! Blessings in 2014!

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  2. Hi Carey! My word is "trust" too ... if you want to read my post it's at: http://www.messymiddle.com/2014/01/02/does-god-play-with-us-like-a-cat-with-a-mouse/

    And though you can't tell from the goof up I made when I linked up, I live in Denver too (suburb really). Anyway, I'm thinking the third Tuesday of every month hosting a "Trusting Tuesday" link up where people can link up what they are learning or where they are in their journey of trust. If you'd be interested, let me know at messymiddle@gmail.com.

    Amy

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    1. Hi, Amy!

      I love your post! I will have to leave my comment there for you :o) I am intrigued by your link up idea. I will email you for more information. Thanks for stopping by! It's going to be an exciting year, to say the least! The community on One Word 365 is going to be a great support system!!!

      Carey

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  3. I'm part of your One Word 365 Tribe! And a fellow wanderer! I have lived a lot of life in that four letter "F" word. And decided that this year I needed to change my focus. A lot of things about my focus. And I chose Trust. Trust the Lord. Trust others, Trust myself. Trust and Lean Not. :)

    I may join in on the Link Up.

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