Trust and Obey

By Marilyn Travis

Our daughter Laurel drew this picture when she was four years old. She said it's “Jesus in our heart.”

  

When I came across it this week, it reminded me of the beautiful gift God has given us, Jesus Christ, and this gift is one a four-year old can understand! One of the first songs I learned as a child was “Trust and Obey.” Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.

As adults we tend to overthink. We need to know the details, the big picture. We often assume something must be complicated or hard to grasp if it is life changing. God, however, just wants us to trust Him and obey Him. He’s got this.

Matthew 18:2-4

He (Jesus) called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

What does it look like to trust and obey?

Proverbs 3:5-6 instruct us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Mother Theresa tells us, “Whatever you do, do it all for His glory and the good of His people. Always do small things with great love and be ready to take whatever He gives and give whatever He takes with a big smile.” Just trust Him. He loves us. He’s got this.

Henri Nouwen suggests we ask ourselves these questions:

Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.

Barbara Johnson says, “When we do little acts of kindness that make life more bearable for someone else, we are walking in love as the Bible commands us.”

I think Dallas Willard had the right idea. He suggests we just do the next right thing. Simple as that.

I don’t need to know the big picture. I don’t need to fully understand. I just need to trust God, obey Him, and do the next right thing. Baby steps, small acts of kindness, each one a part of God’s plan. He’s got this.