• 2 months ago
Transcript
00:00Trust.
00:02I live in Oklahoma where the weather can change dramatically and very quickly.
00:08One year in March, we had the most beautiful sunny spring day and a high of 83 degrees.
00:14The very next day it snowed 3 inches.
00:18As dramatic as that change was, it's nothing compared to tornado season.
00:23Storms seem to swirl up out of nowhere, just like they do in our lives.
00:29I talked to a woman at my son's soccer game recently who's been battling some health issues.
00:35She explained how she was close to God years ago and used to be very involved in our church.
00:41But when she started going through some very real trials, she questioned why God would
00:45allow it.
00:47She fought back tears as she said,
00:49How can I worship a God I can't trust?
00:52Will we trust that God is good even when life is not?
00:56This woman's question hits at the heart of one of life's biggest decisions.
01:01Will we trust that God is good even when life is not?
01:05Our response to pain and challenges determines so much about our future.
01:10By its very nature, faith requires trust in something, or in someone, that's not always
01:15predictable or understandable by human standards.
01:19If we're honest, most of us want a refutable proof of God's benevolent presence in our lives.
01:25This isn't new.
01:27Remember doubting Thomas?
01:30After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, Thomas said he wouldn't believe
01:34it unless he saw proof.
01:36Instead of getting mad and casting him aside for his lack of faith, Jesus graciously showed
01:41Thomas his nail-pierced hands.
01:44And remember the disciples in the storm?
01:47A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.
01:54Mark 4 verse 37.
01:56In the midst of the storm, the disciples were not alone.
02:00Mark reminds us in the next verse that Jesus was in the stern of the boat sleeping.
02:05With Jesus in your boat, the storms may still rock you, but you won't sink.
02:11People like you and me, the woman at the soccer game, Thomas, and the disciples tend to think
02:16we wouldn't be going through a storm if God were really with us.
02:20But that's not it.
02:22With Jesus is in your boat, the storms may still rock you, but you won't sink.
02:27He's with you, both in a spring shower and in the worst tornado imaginable.
02:33Not only is he with you, he's for you.
02:36And if he's for you, who can be against you?
02:39Trust God with whatever you've been holding back.
02:43Trust him with your future spouse.
02:46Trust him with your children.
02:48Trust him with your career.
02:50Trust him with your health.
02:52Trust him with your finances.
02:55Trust him without reservation.
02:57Period.
02:58Pray, Heavenly Father, I trust you with where I'll start and stop.
03:03I trust you with where I'll stay and go.
03:06I trust you enough to give my life to serve and connect to people.
03:10And I trust you are present with purpose in the midst of my life's storms.
03:15Thank you for being with me, guiding my steps, and giving me divine direction.
03:20Amen.