"Go, this way, mommy!"

I'm riding in the car with my two young children in the back seat. When we come to a particular 4 way stop on our way home, recently my 3yr old yells from the back seat "Go this way" and points in the direction that takes us away from home. Naturally, I make the turn that takes us toward home because that is our destination. My three year old's response after I make the turn is to cry and yell "go this way" still pointing in the wrong direction. After a few minutes of heading in the right direction toward, my 3 yr old calms down and enjoys the ride home.

Here I am... much older, much wiser, more knowledgeable, able to do a multitude of things my 3yr old can not. Yet in this particular matter my 3yr old thinks he knows better than me.

Don't we approach God the same way sometimes?

In Genesis, the Bible says that God made heaven, earth, every animal, plant, insect, fish and even man. So naturally the maker of everything has keen knowledge on how things should operate. The bible also says that God knows the beginning and the end. So naturally, it would seem that we would all trust in a God that did all that to direct our lives, right?

Alas, it isn't so. Let's confess. Often times, we are just like my 3yr old when it comes to letting God guide us. We insist that our limited life experience makes us better judges of what we should and should not do. Of where we should and should not go. Of what we can or can not participate in. In fact, we like telling God what we think is the right course of action...insisting that He comply to our request. When He doesn't, we throw a "fit". We accuse God of being harsh, intolerant, uncaring, and even nonexistent. 

I have often tried to explain to my 3yr old why we turn left at this particular stop sign but to no avail. Crying and protesting still ensues. Then I think, "why don't you just trust that I'll get us to our destination safely."

I admit after pondering this, I had to repent (that's just a fancy word that means to feel sorry enough for my actions that I change my coarse going forward) for not trusting God. I act just like my 3yr old  often times.

"I want to go this way, God."
"No, you made the wrong choice God." 
"No, God I don't want that."
"Excuse me, God, I know what is best for my life."

I think one reason people have issues with Christianity is that it is based on a intimate trust relationship with God. How do I get to know God? Who says the bible's way of getting to know God is the only way? Does Jesus really play a big part in getting to know God? What if I am not sure? Am I eternally damned because I have questions? Is the Bible really accurate? All of these are good questions that deserve to be researched and answered. Relax, I won't attempt to do that for you :)

We pose all these questions because we need assurance before we decide to trust. Think about it. There has to be proof that one is trustworthy before we decide to take a chance and entrust them with our trust.

If you were looking for a babysitter, you'd gather intel from people you know and trust about the sitter. But just because the sitter comes highly recommended doesn't mean you automatically trust them. You then put them through a set of mini tests so that the sitter can prove themself trustworthy to you personally. If they pass, great you continue ot build on that trust. If they don't pass, they are dismissed.

Don't we put God through the same pace? We might decide to give "the God thing" a try. We say ok God, what you going to do for me in this situation. If we like the outcome, we say cool, and keep going. If we don't like the outcome, we say "the God thing" didn't work for me and move on.

I don't profess to have all the answers. I admit there is a lot I don't know and even more that I can't explain. I recognize that extending trust is one of the most valuable characteristics we have to give and receive. But once, trust is established, even if there is a let down, trust can be rebuilt. As a follwer of Christ, I have felt like God has let me down at times. But I remember that a trusting relationship isn't always built on things going my way or turning out the way I want. If it were, that is manipulation and selfishness not trust.

Hopefully my 3yr old is learning that very same lesson. That I am trustworthy based on the entirety of our relationship, not just the outcome of a single situation.

Wholeheartedly me,

Julia