Guest Blogger: Kaylan Christopher, Writer & Editor December 24, 2009

Trust & Obey

Growing up the daughter of a small-town Baptist preacher, I soaked and marinated in that life for 18 years. I knew all the hymns by heart, became a professional at incorporating the right Christianese terms into conversation (when needed), mastered church traditionalism by age 7, and even became a closet fan of the Gaithers. I experienced and relished in everything that comes along with the proverbial PK territory.

Sure, I look back now and roll my eyes when I think of all the cheese that oozed out of the church I grew up in, but make no mistake, at home, my parents were Jesus lovers/followers to the core. When it came down to it, they believed and lived the transforming gospel of grace—and they still do. If it weren’t for them, I may still be trapped in a “less God, more religion, please” mindset.

Since my childhood, my dad has repeated one age-old phrase from a timeless hymn over and over to me—”trust and obey”—so much so that it still makes me a little queasy every time I hear it. That is, until about a year ago when I started a spiritual trek up what seemed like a treacherous, impossible mountain of trying to understand why God hadn’t seemingly “come through” in certain areas of my life and trying to be obedient to a sacrifice He called me to.

For over a year, I’ve wrestled with God. I don’t mean a controlled verbal debate. I mean I’ve been acting like a spoiled 5-year-old child who isn’t getting her way. In the beginning, he patiently tried to teach me to wait in faith, asking me to specifically follow his instructions, but I would always walk away from our conversations kicking and screaming, yelling, “I want it now! Why not now? Why don’t you just bless me now! You’re not a good daddy if you don’t give me what I want.”

You see, since I was five years old, I’ve had my life mapped out—centered around a dream that first developed when I began playing with Barbie and her Ken. In my plan, I would graduate college, put a successful career in my pocket, marry the man of my dreams by 26, have my first child by 28, and own a home by 30.

Milestones have come and gone. Currently, I’m a 29-year-old woman (soon to be 30) with no husband and therefore no kids, a career in ministry (which wasn’t in my plan, but one that I DO actually love), and overpriced apartment rent. In my mind, God hasn’t come through on his part of our plan. And, as a result, I’ve lived the last few years as an frustrated woman, shaking my fist at the Almighty and questioning his goodness.

Nearly a year ago, God finally submitted his rebuttal, “When did I ever agree to this plan?” And then he asked me to lay my precious, lifelong plan on the altar and stick a knife in it (so to speak)—a similar command he gave to Abraham.

I’ve read Genesis 22 over and over again—slow, fast, in various translations. My favorite is in the New Living Translation:

Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called.

“Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”

“Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.

On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”

So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together, Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?”

“God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.

When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice.

At that moment the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!”

“Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”

Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

Then the angel of the Lord called again to Abraham from heaven. “This is what the Lord says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.”

Can you imagine what Abraham thought when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac—his “son whom he loved so much?” Why wouldn’t God have asked him to sacrifice something easy like a ram, a sheep, or even some nomadic luxuries in life?

I can relate. I begged God over and over to take something else instead of my dream. I even went so far as to offer up myself as a lifelong foreign missionary, never to enjoy Tex-Mex, cable television, or shoe shopping again, just so I could keep it—the dream I loved so much.

It took me nearly a year to make it up the mountain and I knew he wanted it all—every piece of it. So, I slowly sauntered up the side of the mountain for a long while, hesitating all along the way, clutching it tight in my arms, and wondering if I shouldn’t just turn around and sprint back to the bottom.

Kaylan Christopher

http://kaylanchristopher.blogspot.com

Along the way, I laid down some heavy items—insecurities, issues that weren’t yet resolved, things from my past—and I worshipped. In my pain, I worshipped. In my joy, I worshipped. Every time I got discouraged, he reminded me to “trust and obey.” God was more concerned with my obedience than my sacrifice (see 1 Samuel 15:22).

At the top, I hesitantly laid it all before him, then flinched, waiting for him to lick it up with fire or provide a substitute. He didn’t do either. I learned that sometimes God sacrifices our happiness and plans simply for His glory and our holiness.

One precious mentor even told me on the journey, “Kaylan, if you’ll just lay it down, then it will free up your hands for the next thing God has.”

Along the way, I removed an idol from our relationship which freed up space in my hands for God to give me several blessings: an authentic awareness that he’s enough and he’s for me; victory over the enemy despite his attempts to spiritually pummel every day; belief in the fact that God is genuinely good, faithful, and trustworthy in this life; and a new understanding of “trust and obey.”

Guest Blogger: Ashley De La Torra December 23, 2009

I’ll do it my way…

Much like my beautiful friend Faith, I have had some super fun blessings this 2009.  It seems to be the year of marriage, as my 2 best friends and I have all had weddings.  Usually I am inspired to write when something bad happens, or I am extremely frustrated, or I have been severely humbled by a hilarious incident.  However, now I find myself in one of the happiest times of my life…and wondering what exactly to write about.

My husband and I met while I was living in Mexico.  Before boarding the plane in Wichita, KS, to move to Mexico, I told my mom, “Don’t worry, I won’t fall in love with a Mexican.”  At the time, I sincerely believed it.  I was 28 years old and after waiting for “Mr. Right” to cross my path, I decided that Mr. Right forgot to drop by…and that was okay.  I was content, for the first time ever, in my “singledom.”  Yep, I’d received all those nice little magazine cut-outs from well-wishing friends and family about single women who loved the lives they were living for Christ.  I’d been asked “So when are you finally going to settle down?” as if I were purposefully running from being a married woman.  I had heard the comments to my parents about being “old” grandparents.  (Aren’t grandparents SUPPOSED to be old?!)  So when I let go of my American bubble and stepped on a plane to Mexico, I felt trepidation at the new adventure, but freedom from the Midwestern culture of “marry young and have children.”  I was ready to teach, love, and live in Mexico…forever.

Living in a foreign country was an excellent wake-up call in dozens of areas of my life.  In Isaiah 55:8-9 God says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”  Thank goodness!  Venturing out of my “American comfort zone”, I was forced to see the world through different eyes.  I stepped out every day not knowing what was in store, talk about relying on our precious Lord Jesus!  I never knew what would be in my path, from a crowded bus ride where I was literally holding on for dear life (I had to ride on the bottom step, holding on to the railing with the bus door wide open first of all for air circulation and second of all because there were too many people crowded on) to immigration telling me I had to go back to the US (not true, you just have to talk to the right people…hhhmmmm, maybe Mexico’s government is more like our own then we thought!).  I, like most Americans, like to have control over my situation (or at least like the illusion of control that we create) however in Mexico I really comprehended the fact that God is the ONLY one in control. 

I had thoughts and ideas that had been ingrained in me since childhood and God pointed them out to me one by one, as if saying “my child, these are not from me.”  I was challenged to dig in the Word, which I have to say was easier in Mexico since I didn’t own a television, didn’t have too many friends in the beginning, and didn’t have much money to do anything or go anywhere.  Its funny how sometimes God has to strip away all of the distractions so we will FINALLY listen to His calling.  I had to assess my beliefs, my values, and ask where they came from. 

In Mexico, God taught me to fall into His arms.  I couldn’t control anything, and it was in those moments of complete surrender that God introduced me to my husband.  Every day was a decision to trust in the plans God had for me.  I could go on and on about how at every turn and bend in the road God has given surprises and blessings.  But what I most want to communicate through this little entry (thank you Faithy for letting me share with your peeps) is that God’s thoughts are so far beyond what we will ever comprehend in this life.  He molds us and shapes us in ways that we may never understand until we are with Him in eternity.  OR, we may get to experience those blessings here on earth.  If you would have told me that I was to fall in love with a Mexican, who with all of his “machismo” background is the most patient, gentle, loving and caring man I could ever dream of…well, I would have laughed.  He is the man with whom I will live my life, the perfect partner that God made for me.  Who would ever move to Cancun Mexico and meet a man…at church?  A man who would move to little Wichita Kansas, thousands of miles from any warm, sandy beaches, because he desired to follow God’s calling.  I pray every day that God will open my eyes to His ways, open my heart to His thoughts, and let me love on those around me as He loves me.

I pray during this holiday season that you allow God’s thoughts and ways to penetrate your heart and soul.  Stay in the Word, pray, pray, pray…and know that the best is yet to come.  How breath-taking to be in love with the Creator of the universe!  Abrazos…

Starbucks & Subscriptions December 16, 2009

Hey, Friends!

Email subscription is now available to you…if you’d like to receive new posts in your inbox, just enter your email in the top box on the right-hand side of the page. A confirmation email will be sent to you and you’ll have to click to confirm your subscription. Then you’ll be up-to-date with all the new posts and happenings at Speaking in Faith! 

And now during our 4000 by 2010 we are also entering everyone who signs up for a subscription before 2010 a chance to win one of 5 Starbucks gift cards!  We will email all winners by January 3rd!  Register by 12am on January 1 to be entered in the raffle for a Starbucks card!

Merry Christmas and God bless! 

The Speaking in Faith Team

Nothing is Impossible with God! December 15, 2009

All of us remember those inspirational talks that inspired us to strive for the next level, to reach the next goal and to achieve the impossible!  Maybe you were inspired by a movie that touched your heart, maybe you remember sitting in a locker room as a teenager or maybe just maybe you’ve been inspired to greatness not by the words of men, but by the Word of God.  Every time I read Luke 1 and approach verse 37, I get all giddy inside…and as my eyes scroll over those last few words, my shoulders roll back and my chin is raised, my demeanor changes and I feel as though I can conquer the world! Join me in the excitement as we read this epic passage together. 

   ²⁶ In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” ³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” ³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For nothing is impossible with God.” ³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

 

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Lk 1:26-38

 

If this passage is new to you, welcome to the amazing Word of God!  If this is a familiar passage to you, I pray that like me you will see afresh the greatness of this God we serve.   This passage introduces us to the teenage girl who will, AS A VIRGIN, be the mother the Savior of the world!  Can you imagine hearing these powerful words spoken to you by an angel?  Can you imagine how overwhelmed Mary must have been?  Yet will all the majesty presented in this passage about the Messiah who will be her SON, Mary’s response is not one of grandeur, but rather one of humility.  You almost miss it because it is overshadowed by the awesomeness of the passage just spoken.  Yet as I look closer at this passage, I pray that my heart will be as humble as this wise teenage girl.  I pray that as God continues to reveal His plan for my life, that my response will be as steady and as faithful as hers.  This precious teenage girl has just been visited by an angel and had her world turned upside down.  She has gone from an engaged Jewish girl, to a pregnant engaged Jewish girl.  She will now be the talk of the town, misunderstood, condemned and shamed by those who do not believe her outrageous story.  She will also be the mother of Christ, the Savior of the World!  But in this overwhelming moment as the angel reveals God’s plan for Mary’s life, rather than think of all the consequences, she focuses on her responsibility.  Mary’s humble response blows me out of the water.  We have this epic passage that climaxes at the final statement, “For nothing is impossible with God.”  And what follows is a quiet, sincere & humble response, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be to me as you have said.” 

Her faith is amazing.  Mary’s response challenges me to take God at His word and to live in obedience everyday as His servant.  I am reminded once again of the roles God has set in place.  My role is to live in obedience to Him every single day, and His role is to carry out the plan that He has for my life.  My role is not to worry about the “what ifs” or what will people think or how He will make it happen.  My job is to live in humble obedience with the faith that “Nothing is impossible with God!”  His job is to prove that to be true!  He may not accomplish His plan in the way or the time that I best see fit.  But with His infinite wisdom and insight, He will accomplish His plan for my life and yours in a way and a time that brings glory and honor to Himself.  And that is the kind of epic story I want to be a part of!   

Lord, today I submit my dreams, goals, passions and abilities to you.  I trust that the plan you have revealed for my life will come to fruition in your perfect time and in your perfect way.  I am your servant, and I want to live for you alone.  You are the creator of my soul, so I offer all I am to you.  I pray that as I submit to You, You will live out Your Word thru me proving that nothing is impossible for You.  And Lord, I pray that as You live the truth of this statement out in my life all the glory and the honor will be directed fully to You.

Humbly I pray!  Amen.

Guest Blogger: Recording Artist, Mela Kamin December 13, 2009

As I sit here amidst Winter in Minnesota, with several inches of snow on the ground and near zero temperatures, I’m quickly reminded of the presence of storms. After a big snowfall, we’re generally unable to leave our driveways, unless snowplows first make a way. In the Midwest, no matter what season we’re in, we experience many different storms – fires, heavy rains, tornadoes, blizzards, etc.
Inevitably, storms of other kinds come and wreak havoc on our lives. We have financial, relational and emotional storms to deal with. Many times, we even have spiritual storms that test our faith greatly. The enemy comes at us with everything he’s got. And, at one time or another, we all have internal storms to deal with.
We can become buried in a foot of insecurity or depression. We can get washed away by our guilt of past mistakes. We can feel the winds of shame and failure circling toward us. Or, we might see the flames of temptation lapping at our heals. Yet God longs to remind us of who He is. He doesn’t say we’ll be immune to storms, but tells us who we are in the midst of them. We ARE HIS. Max Lucado puts it this way: “It’s not the absence of storms that sets us apart. It’s whom we discover in the storm: an unstirred Christ.”
In the telling of the disciples on the Sea of Galilee, you’ll remember that Jesus was asleep when the big storm hit. Certainly, we’ve felt that way. We’ve been in the thick of it and wondered “God, would you notice me down here?” So, the frantic disciples wake the slumbering Savior. He speaks three words, “Quiet! Be still!” and chaos turns to calm. So, it is the same with our storms. God isn’t sleeping, neglecting us or ignoring what’s going on. He’s watching and waiting for us to turn to Him. In the messy trials of life, are we focusing on the bigness of the storm, or the greatness of our God?
This is what is written in Isaiah 43: 1-2:
But now, this is what the Lord says -
He who created you, O Jacob,
He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
I take great comfort in this passage of scripture. In fact, I take great comfort in all of scripture. This is Biblical weather-proofing we can put on. I know storms will come and go and some will hit harder than others. They may shake me to my very core. But, for all eternity, I will take shelter in my fortress and my refuge that is the Lord, my God. (Psalm 59:16)

Mela Kamin,
Contemporary Christian recording artist, singer/songwriter
www.melakamin.com
Facebook.com/MelaKamin
Twitter @MelaKamin

Guest Bloggers! December 10, 2009

Merry Christmas Everybody! As a Christmas gift to you, Speaking in Faith will have some guest bloggers in the next few weeks. All are fabulous friends of mine who have amazing hearts for Jesus! I can’t wait to for you to get to know them! Have a great night! Merry Christmas!

The intimacy of CHRISTmas! December 9, 2009

With a wedding, a honeymoon, and a man moving into my house,  and two girls moving out I made it all the way into December before I started putting up my Christmas decorations.  I am usually the first one to pull the tree out of storage…and have even been known to decorate the tree while watching the World Series!  Some people say that’s over the top, but I have to disagree.  And this year as the first night decorating came to a close, I remembered why I love the Christmas season.  

I began the night with a warm, cozy house; the fire was crackling in the fireplace, and dear friends had joined me for Bible study.  But as the tree lit up and the ceiling lights dimmed my house transformed from a cozy home to an intimate environment full of romance and vulnerability.  The dim lights and warm colors are the perfect backdrop for an intimate conversation with the Loved One.  I immediately felt like I could be a little more open a little more honest with my Savior.  Even now taking in the sight of the Nativity scene on the mantel lit up only by the simple tree a few feet away, I am moved with emotion and allow myself to go to the deeper places in my heart that I don’t always let surface. The reminder that Jesus came as an infant in a stable with a young teenage girl as His mother comforts me.  It reminds me that I don’t have to have it all together, not physically, emotionally, socially or spiritually.  I can come just as I am and enter into an intimate conversation with the Savior of the World…MY Savior, Jesus the Messiah!   As you enter into your own place of intimacy with Jesus, be inspired with the following words:

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  Hebrews 10:19-23

When we enter into a relationship with Jesus we then have the privilege of coming before the throne of grace and not being turned away because of our sin.  How sweet it is to have our hearts sprinkled and our guilty consciences cleared.  We can stand before Jesus confidently knowing His blood cleansed our hearts.  And now we can let down our guards and approach Him with a sincere heart allowing our hearts to have the conversation you’ve been longing.  Don’t worry about the words you say, just be honest with Jesus, and allow Him to be honest with you knowing “he who promised if faithful.”  I pray that you will take full advantage of this romantic holiday to fall in love with your Savior for the first time or re-ignite the fire with the One who loves you so much He died to be in your life.  

Merry CHRISTmas!

Thanks for stopping by! December 9, 2009

Thanks for helping us reach our goal of 4000 views by 2010! We’ll have lots of new posts the rest of the year to keep things fresh, so stop back by often! And send all your friends this way!!! Merry Christmas!

Faith Klein Herrgesell

Oh, Lord our Lord How Majestic is Your Name!!!! November 29, 2009

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it;

for he founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the waters.

Psalm 24:1-2

As I sit on my balcony this morning, I am overwhelmed at the majesty of God.  My heart is calmed by the sound of waves crashing below me, knowing God set their boundaries (Job 38:11).  Joy fills my soul and a smile graces my face as I look over the edge of the balcony and see the endless ocean.  Oh, Lord our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!!! (Ps 8:1)  These words penned by David are ever-present on my tongue as I enjoy the beauty of God’s creation here in Jamaica!  I can’t help but praise the Lord for His creativity and graciousness.  Carl and I are having a wonderful time bonding with each other and our Maker on our honeymoon!  Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Please take time to thank God for His creation today!!

Love ya’ll!

Faith Klein Herrgesell

But That’s Not Fair November 20, 2009

Have you ever caught yourself saying these words?  When you were younger you probably said these words over petty things like not getting chosen for the part you wanted in the fourth grade play or not getting the playing time you wanted in high school.  But now, as you’ve gotten older you probably have said these words over a gut wrenching ordeal.  Maybe a loved one with cancer, the loss of job in these tough economic times, or strife with a family member that you just can’t seem to resolve.  Today we are going to look at Genesis 27:1-40, the story of Jacob deceiving Isaac to get Esau’s birthright.  This example of life not being fair will lead us to a better understanding of who God is when life isn’t fair.  

 As you read this story, if you’re like me you probably have really only paid attention to Jacob.  And then when you finally do read about Esau, you have compassion on him and therefore, justify his response.  But today I’d like to walk thru the story again and focus on Esau.  At the beginning we see that Jacob is Rebekah’s favorite, and Esau is Jacob’s favorite.  Now Esau, because he is the older twin, was by custom supposed to get the birthright and the blessing.  At this point in the story, Jacob has already weasled his way to getting the birthright, and today’s passage reveals how he and his mother use deception to get him the blessing also.  Read thru the passage and watch Esau’s response beginning in verse 34.  Esau has just found out that Jacob has taken his blessing and he responds with the following:

v34: “Bless me–me too, my father!”

36: “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob?  He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, nd now he’s taken my blessing!…Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?”

38: “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!”  Then Esau wept aloud.

As you read his response you realize that in Esau’s mind, Jacob was in control of this situation.  Esau’s losing his blessing was a big deal.  I’m not down playing that…but his understanding of who God is in this loss determines his reponse.  Esau has not yet come to the full understanding that God is God Most High.  And as we read the rest of story of Esau we realize that he never comes to this understanding.  But as you and I read this story, we can see God’s hand at work.  Let’s look at this story through the lens of God as God Most High.  

In an early blog and in the OT Home study we looked at a couple of names of God including the one mentioned above: “God Most High.”  In our home study we really dug into this and looked at supporting verses.  And came to an understanding that God Most High is the one who “gives and takes away” as the popular song says.  Knowing this attribute of God makes this passage really come to life.  If you look back at the birth of Jacob and Esau, God told Rebekah that Esau (the older brother) would serve Jacob, and that Jacob would be the stronger nation.  Knowing that God has already decided this, makes this story read a little differently.  With this prior knowledge you realize that Jacob was deceiving his father, but he wasn’t deceiving God.  And he definitely wasn’t catching God off guard.  God knew that this would happen and allowed it as part of His bigger plan for the salvation of man.  Maybe the idea that God is in control of this story even though Esau gets the short end of the stick ticks you off because you see how unfair it is that through lying Jacob “wins.”  But I see it as a huge comfort.  Knowing  that God is in control, and that even when bad things happen God knows and has His hand on all things brings peace to my life.  Knowing this means that my life is not in the hands of a drunk driver or a random thief or a cheater in the work place.  But my life is held in the hands of God.  Kay Arthur talks about, in her book “Refined as Silver,” how God sifts everything through His all-knowing and all-loving hands.  He knows what will make us look more like Him and what will bring Him the most glory in the end.  So we don’t have to worry about our lives.  The trials we face God knows about and has allowed.  We often don’t understand the “why” but knowing He is still in control and He is still on the throne will allow us to rest in Him.  This doesn’t necessarily make the trial less painful, but we can rest in the fact that God sees and God knows.  Melissa Greene has an amazing song on her new album, “Next Step” called “Jody’s Song.”  This song was written as a loved one died an early death to cancer.  In the chorus she sings, “I can choose to ask why, I can choose to be angry, I can wrestle when life is not what I thought it would be.  I can wish that all the pain would simply go away.  At the same time I can choose, Lord to trust You.”  This song does an amazing job of being real with the questions we ask of God when life really gets tough.  And it also does an amazing job of showing us the option we have of trusting that God is who He says He is.  

God is God Most High.  He holds your life in the palm of His hands.  And we do have the choice to be angry when things don’t go our way, but we also have the choice to trust Him.