Props to Ruth

Learn to worry less and trust God more. That is really what the Spirit has been teaching me throughout these past weeks as the illusion of control of my life has been stripped from me. As we went into the backcountry, we were put in a place where we remembered that we are not gods. We were completely at the mercy of wildlife, weather and the wilderness surrounding us. We had no control and being miles from the "safety" of our car, could either worry or trust. And realizing that my security was being placed in a car, I saw the silliness of my mind! How can I trust the car and not trust my God who I thought I believed was larger than life, who created everything, who is in control? In this realization, I pray that even as I return to the car and "civilization" that my security cannot be placed in anything save God and remember that I am not a god and have no control over life.

However, this lack of control also comes with it a complete cluelessness for my future. When I had plans or a routine, I at least had something to rest upon. I "knew" I would get up, eat breakfast, go to work and things would be "normal." It has become so important to me though, to know that I don't know what will happen! Because then instead of relying on myself and my plan, I have to trust God is in control and will guide me. I have never been so dependent on the Spirit yet recognize how inexperienced I am at it. What a blessing to be learning this great gift of relying on his Spirit for my every moment of every day. It at first freaked me out and specifically made one of my days a worried mess, yet the Spirit is growing on me--or should I say I'm growing in the Spirit--as I learn to walk with Him. I expect nothing (in the sence that anything could happen) and yet expect everything (in that he is powerful--moving in and through me--and placing me where he can most use me)! The passage from James 4:13-17 has never meant more to me:
"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."
The Lord only has such control from moment to moment. My tongue and my mind need to remember that!

This morning I read from Ruth and thought she an amazing, self-giving woman with a lot of faith and trust. A widow, accompanying her widowed mother-in-law back to a foreign land not knowing how they would survive. Yet she is determined to stick it out with her mother-in-law through all the uncertainties until death even with the option of returning home to find another husband and begin a new life. Surely a promise of a hard, laborous life. No illusion of control or safety. Praise the Lord for blessing this woman so abundantly, for not only was she fed and married to a noble man, but bore a son Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David--in the geneology of Jesus our Christ. Props to Ruth for her faith...and how cool that she did it not even knowing what would come of her life!
Spirit, teach us that faith and build in us that trust.
Your sister in Christ,
GAbrieLLE