By Mark Maher
At times, it may feel like things are falling apart, but trust that God is holding it all together. “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17)
Love His promise of “All Things.” Why worry. His promise is that “He holds it ALL TOGETHER.” He is capable of sustaining all the things in my life. “Trust Him in ALL of his ways.” (Proverbs 3:6)
Do you have a lot going on? Does it feel like you’re trying to balance a lot of plates? Maybe God gave you a lot because you can handle a lot. He will “sustain all things” (Hebrews 1:3) and if God calls you to it, He’ll help you get through it.
“My plans aren’t your plans, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my plans than your plans.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) I want His will for my life. I want to follow His plan. This is the place of grace, when I’m walking in His ways. He gives me a grace for it, a strength that I don’t possess on my own.
He steers me. He pulls me. He leads me to it. It’s not the mind at work. It’s the spirit. Your spirit guides. The spirit discerns. HIS WILL must lead. You don’t need to know everything, just step. “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24)
I trust Him, even though I think the road is dangerous. I know He doesn’t call us to safe, sound, and secure. He calls us to do the impossible (Luke 18:27) so that we will have to lean on Him mightily. This is the calling so we are fearless to take on more than we can handle. He will equip us as we go. Even though it’s beyond our comfort. “I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.” (Proverbs 4:11-12)
He solidifies the ground as I step. It’s faith that must be explored. The question I frequently ask; “Is Jesus Christ involved?” Is this something He would bless? Is His Spirit prevalent? Do I feel Him in this? Is love involved? And being stretched is ok, because He calls us for “more” (Ephesians 3:20) and to “live life to the full.” (John 10:10)
We are to follow faith. To follow Christ, the waymaker, the miracle worker, the light in the darkness, the beacon of hope and trust He is working all things out. Follow love and now you’re walking in His will. “LOVE God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and LOVE others.” (Matthew 22:37-39)
Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to HIS purpose.” We are to chase His purpose, and life is not without twists and turns, highs and lows, triumph and defeat, but He promises to trend towards making things good in our life, even if it’s just to be used to be a blessing to someone else. This is why faith must move forward. We must walk THROUGH the valleys and take with you every lesson learned. He is equipping to handle more.
Some things in life devastate us, stop us in our tracks, paralyzing our spiritual progress if we allow it, so there has to be a super high grace by God to overcome it. Everything in our heart may want us to stay stuck, but it’s faith that propels us into taking the next step. Our courage is called out. May want to take a deep breath, take a minute but God pleads, earnestly praying to overcome. To get back in the game of life. To pursue him with passion that’s inconceivable. The “thorn will never go away, but his grace has to be sufficient” (2 Corinthians 12:9) to move forward.
So we boldly and courageously walk through territory we’ve never seen before, but to be honest with you it’s never been about us. “We have left everything to follow you!” (Matthew 19:27) My heart does not like it, but we are to leave everything. We are to carry our cross daily. “Then He said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. If you try to hang onto your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?’” (Luke 9:23-25) So in the remaining days, I’ll trust that He will hold it all together, and we’ll fight to gain what we cannot lose; our salvation and our ability to share Christ.
He “provides the advocate, the helper, the comforter.” (John 14:26) We can’t do it alone. Don’t even come close to having that kind of strength. “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:8) So the call despite the trials, is to bear much fruit.
So we chase being fruitful. What can I do to glorify God? This is the daily pursuit. He’ll hold it all together. “I will send you the Helper from the Father.” (John 15:26) This is the vision that’s been laid down, so “now be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
Raising four teenagers without their mom who was so prevalent in their life is territory I’ve never walked in before, but I trust God holds it all together. Trust is at the forefront of my faith. It always has been. So we simply keep walking by faith, and not by sight, and praying that God has in His hand that which we can’t control. We pray that He is working it all out. Guide their steps.
