a simple, little word

One little word.

I don't get it.

It takes a long time to build.  But it can be destroyed in a single moment.

Babies get it-- why can't I?

One little word-- by it determines whether you will have peace or anxiety.  Hope or depression.  Joy or gloom.  One little word-- why is it so hard to comprehend?  Only five letters-- of mystery.

Trust.

I'm a planner.  I like everything completely organized, well thought out, and thoroughly planned long in advance.  I like to know all of the details of everything that I am to be involved it.  I want to know when it's happening, why it's happening, who's in charge, what the schedule is, etc, etc, etc, etc.  That way I'm ready to do my part thoroughly and with excellence.  But for some reason, life never seems to happen like that.

Things always happen, and get in the way of all my best laid plans.  Distractions, big or small.  Minor or major.  Things never play out exactly the way that we would like or expect.  Why?

God knows that if we know what's coming, we can prepare for it.  If we prepare for it, and do an awesome job, ("Yay, look what I've done!") then what?  Is God glorified?  Whereas, when we are put into precarious situations, totally taken off guard, we are forced to rely on HIM for strength, to call on Him for direction, and allow Him to be glorified through our weakness.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't prepare-- on the contrary, the Bible calls us to "be ready in season and out of season" (2 Tim. 4:2a), but what if we stopped worrying about what "may" come, and focus on what "is" and trust God with the rest?

"Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me-- to keep me from exalting myself!  Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.  And He has said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.'  Most gladly therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."

~2 Corinthians 12:7-9

...more on this later.