Trusting God and Staying in Action
This is something I have struggled with in the last year. Not only in my walk with Christ but before. I used to resort to reading angel cards or tarot cards to know what my next step should be. I was in internal turmoil as the decisions came from external sources and never from God. I was attached to my tools for divination and foretelling and I was not actively engaging in learning discernment to guide be through the turmoils and confusion of life.
When to act and when to not act?
That’s the big question.
Should you speak, or stay silent?
Should you move and be active, or rest and wait?
As I realised by starting to read the Bible over a year ago, is that the questions for everything I have had in the last 17 months are all in that Holy compilation of books. It was fascinating to me because I have A LOT of questions, constantly!
We often wrestle with the concept of with knowing when to move and when to rest, discerning between taking steps in faith and waiting for God's guidance.
Trusting God: Our Firm Foundation
Trusting God is the cornerstone of our faith. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Trusting God means that you can be obedient to his word and you know he will lead you towards sanctification. Trusting God means believing that He is sovereign and has a plan for our lives, even when we cannot see the full picture. It’s about resting in His promises and knowing that He will provide for our needs.
However, trusting God does not mean we should sit back and do nothing, expecting Him to handle everything. Faith without action is incomplete. James 2:17 reminds us, "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." Our trust in God should motivate us to take steps forward, knowing that He is with us in every endeavor.
Staying in Action: Our Daily Walk
We were put on this Earth to work, to move, to be useful, not to be plain beneficiaries of God’s creation and Grace, even if we are! Many people misunderstand the christian worlview of a Saviour. They say comments like “No one is coming to save you” and there is a truth to this. Even if we believe wholeheartedly that Jesus came to save us from our sins and bring salvation and redemption, we also have to work on our day to day. Not to earn salvation, as Jesus said “It is finished”, but to be healthy humans with a purpouse and mission to fulfill.
No one is going to save you from your couch and lazyness, you have to get up on your own. No one is going to loose the weight for you, no one is going to get rid of your trauma, but WE can do it all through Christ who strengthens us.
Taking action is an essential part of living out our faith. It involves using the gifts and opportunities God has given us to fulfill our responsibilities and pursue our goals. Colossians 3:23 encourages us, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." This means that in our day-to-day toils, we are called to give our best, trusting that God is working through us.
Yet, there is a fine line between staying in action and striving out of our strength. We must be careful not to fall into the trap of believing that everything depends on us. Our efforts should be rooted in faith and reliance on God, not driven by anxiety or a need to control outcomes.
Discerning Between Action and Rest
One of the greatest challenges we face is discerning when to act and when to rest. This requires a deep connection with God through prayer and quiet time. Jesus Himself modeled this balance perfectly. He often withdrew to solitary places to pray (Luke 5:16), yet He was always engaged in His ministry and mission.
Here are a few steps to help discern between action and rest:
Seek God’s Guidance: Begin each day with prayer, asking God for wisdom and direction. Psalm 32:8 says, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."
Read to God’s Word: What does scripture say about the situation you are going through?
Evaluate Your Motives: Reflect on why you feel compelled to act or rest. Are your actions driven by faith and obedience, or by fear and self-reliance?
Balance Your Efforts: Create a rhythm that includes both purposeful action and intentional rest. Remember that both are necessary for a healthy and fruitful life.
Trust God’s Timing: Be patient and trust that God’s timing is perfect. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."
Living in Trust and Action
Living in trust and action requires wisdom, humility, and a deep reliance on God. It means moving forward with confidence, knowing that God is guiding our steps, and resting in His provision when it’s time to pause.
Remember, God is always with us, we wants us to cast our burdens to him and lead us on the right path. By trusting Him and allowing ourselves to be led by Him, we can navigate life with more grace and confidence, knowing that we are never alone.
With love,
Luna x
References:
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Bible
James 2:17 - Bible
Colossians 3:23 - Bible
Luke 5:16 - Bible
Psalm 32:8 - Bible
Ecclesiastes 3:1 - Bible