Trust…. that’s it, isn’t it! But do we really trust with the minutiae? Or with the big stuff?

I used to memorize poems when I went running…and one time I memorized a poem that has stayed with me and guided me for years. I apologize that I don’t remember the author’s name! I thank them profusely, and honor the idea that came to them in such an elegant way. Thank you, whoever you are! Here is (I think only a portion of) the poem:

Standing before unknown waters with trembling heart?
It isn’t thus
That the waters part, and then you step
You step, and the waters part

This to me is the epitome of trust – to act before we see the clear path – to trust we’re being led in the right direction and start walking. In the Bible it says “ And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, ‘This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.’” (Isa 30:21) It’s not a neon sign out in front with a big red arrow pointing in the direction we need to go. It’s a word (that gently leaning in thought – that still small voice – or sometimes loud voice) behind us – not obvious and flashy. It forces us to trust it and step out – being obedient to the way in which it tells us to walk. I love that. Trust the word behind you, leading you in the right path, follow it.

There’s a scene (I think it’s in the movie “The Librarian”) where the protagonist is told (by a voice) to step off a cliff with a great chasm before him. And everyone around him thinks he’s nuts to follow the leadings of the voice. He does anyway, of course, and he steps out into thin air. And just as his foot starts to go down (there’s commitment!), a clear solid panel appears under his foot and he steps on it. And thus it goes with each step. As he steps out with a commitment of forward movement – trusting – the clear panel appears under his foot. This is repeated all the way across the great chasm! With trust he gets to the other side of what would be certain death.

There’s another passage that relates to trust from Science and Health that resonates with this idea. “We must look where we would walk, and we must act as possessing all power from Him in whom we have our being.” I like that it says MUST. The command, the imperative nature of the statement, gives me more reason to trust. When we’re acting as possessing all power from God – things feel pretty solid and we can step out with confidence. We must act that way – no apologies! Cool, huh?

Put it all together…. Listen, trust, follow, step out boldly with confidence that we’re being led. Repeat.