Inspirational Corners:

[Guest mousiegurl69]

Hi everyone:

Although I'm fairly new to these forums I've been doing this spot for more that four years just amongst friends and family. As I count you all as part of this circle now I thought I'd share these inspirations with all of you. I hope these inspire you to find the maximum strength for walking this road of faith we call Christianity. This one was one of my recent ones from November 2004. I pray this inspires you all in some way.

Hi Everyone:

This one is consistently on my mind and I'll admit I do not have all the angles figured yet. It was triggered more deeply, by a recent conversation with one of my closest and dearest friends, and I just want to write about what I've learned so far. So lets grow together:

The subject line is a matter of trust. This one may get deep and since I've shared the depths of my heart in the past I will not fear to share these depths with you now.

For me to openly admit that I need help is not so easy. The funny thing is I sometimes need a helping hand but the truth is I didn't know who to trust. I'm awestruck by the fact that God orchistrates some people for us, that we can learn how to be open with. The thing is it's not just with them but they point the way to God himself. If not for their seemingly fearless attitudes about leading in this way and the discipline they show about themselves, I don't think I'd want to live in this world.

There is a common question about Christ likeness, I did ask about this too and even in the midst of trials, temptations, failures, and losses I never completely lost sight of this. I wanted to be more Christ like in my walk, so I asked God to show me the world through his eyes. Nothing would turn a head faster than seeing the world as God does. It changes the perspectives even in the smallest things. Unfortunately it doesn't always keep you from troubles.

Have you learned to not trust? Has anyone hurt you so badly or things happened in your life so traumatic, you don't know how to trust or who? Here's the real question: How do we trust a God who we can't see when we don't know who to trust who we can see? Can you learn to open your heart where it's appropriate? This is a touchy subject and I've asked these questions over and over.

You hear things like "trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths." Easier said then done though, right? We'll take this apart a bit to help make my points.

What does it mean to trust? I would define trust as giving your heart into the care of another without reservation. Can you do this completely or are there things that you hold back on? So how can we trust with everything we are?

What does it mean to "lean not on your own understanding." I would probably define this as completely accepting what another tells you as absolute truth. Now to be honest I've been guilty of this. But I found that all humans are flawed, YEP! Noooobody's perfect. So what understanding are we to lean on?

Now to go on: "in all your ways acknowledge him" To define this I'd say Acknowledgement is walking in the light of who and what another means to you or me. Giving this one a name to all we meet and living the example of all they are about.

For the big finish: "He will direct your paths" I guess the question comes to mind. HOW!!!?? In this case "direct your paths" I would define as another leading which way we live life. This would be from things we chose to do, to how we choose to do them.

Now here's a kicker. I have put my trust in another human beings with all my heart and soul in this very way. It ended with disappointments. When God called me to come under his covering and follow him in the paths he would lead, it seemed strange and new to me. I wasn't afraid to step out at first but then things got in the way that set me back for a while. So while trying to deal with these things I struggled to keep sight of what I was learning God was calling me to do. The struggle nearly tore me up inside and out. So many times I've wanted to throw my hands in the air and say "God I can't do this" However quitting isn't an option. I was trapped I tell ya!!

It seemed easy enough to follow the footsteps of a God I couldn't see, but by the eyes of faith. Yet how do I see by the eyes of faith when there is a covering over those eyes not allowing me a full view. This view can be distorted by the fact that we may not have a clear and visible example. These questions torture the minds of those who only dream without hope of finding an answer.

It was all new to me and I wasn't sure what directions to take, because this took me far from my comfort zones. Some things seemed so unnatural. As well I felt that in my struggles I let God down. I've seen the reactions of others when I did something wrong or annoying and they egnored or came down on me. I always figured God was just like them, but struggled with the thoughts that while my judge he is also my saviour. I'd try desperately to rest in the thoughts that "His ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts higher as well." And that "Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart." We may be able to lie convincingly to family, friends or even ourselves about who we are, but God knows us from the foundation of the world and I believe it's his goal to see all we can be, in him, come into fruition.

The path to total trust is not easy because it requires one to be vulnerable. To recognize a failing like this is one that keeps you humble. Lets face it, there is much about ourselves we don't want anyone else to see. I don't write this because I know or can explain the path to being totally open but to show testimony to the fact that I to struggle here. If you struggle, and we all do then take this inspiration to your heart in knowing there are others who share in this struggle. Let yourself immagine that at the end of every struggle there is something waiting for you that was well worth it all. And as other struggles come up, take it with you, and when your discouraged let it be a reminder of better things to come. No matter what mistakes you make, or what obsticals appear in your way never let yourself lose sight of the goals God set out for you.

Love in Christ:

{Mouse}