Do you trust Me?

I'm going to borrow from the analogy of Christ's questioning of Peter after His resurrection.


God has been stretching me. Asking me to trust Him.

"Do you trust Me?" He asks. "Do you trust Me to plan your life? Do you trust Me to add to your family when I see fit? Do you trust Me?"

And in the last little while, faltingly, with little steps I've been able to answer, "Yes Lord, I trust You. I trust that You have the best plan for my life. I trust that you will, in Your time, grant us the desires of our heart, a child. I trust that the trials and struggles that we have to go through to get there are for our benefit, for the strengthening of our faith."

And then I heard it again.

"Do you trust Me?"

"Do you trust Me with your husband? Do you trust that this nomination for elder will be in My time? Do you trust that I will be with you during the lonely nights? Do you trust that I will be with you if I add to the crazyness of your life, the business of it all?"

And I have to say yes. I have to know that this too is in His plan.

Oh boy, not my plan! But His plan.

We heard a sermon on John 20. I was struck by Christ's command.

John 20:27b
"Stop doubting and believe."

Did you read it?

"Stop doubting and believe."

The minister talked about how it was a command. Not a choice, a command. Something we have to do.

You may say, "But how? How is that even possible? How can you say such a thing? You must not know my circumstances. I have lots to doubt about."

"Stop doubting and believe."

How?

Verse 21ff gives the answer:
Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

He doesn't ask it of you and then leave you alone. He breathes the Holy Spirit into your life. He breathes on you.

And in that breathe, you can obey.