As I write this, my husband, Steve, and I are enjoying some downtime in Costa Rica. We spent a few days in the rainforest, soaking in the beauty and relaxation of the mountain air. Early in the mornings, you could hear the jungle coming alive—tropical birds singing, monkeys howling—a grand chorus of praise.
Now we are at the beach. Early this morning, as I sat on the patio overlooking the ocean, sipping my coffee and waking up slowly to the goodness of God, my heart overflowed with praise for the beauty of creation. Watching the ocean waves gently roll in, I was reminded once again of the goodness and loving-kindness of God, who oversees all of creation.
Earlier this week, we took a hike by a gushing river. I was struck by the massive trees intermingled with other jungle plants lining the riverbanks. Each tree had thick roots that went deep into the soil, anchoring it firmly. These trees reminded me of the passage in Jeremiah: “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).
Honestly, it’s easy to trust God while on vacation, surrounded by the beauty of nature. But what about when I return home to the pressures of life—ministry demands, family concerns, and the daily grind? I want to live present and open to God, trusting in His goodness moment by moment. I want to live my life fully responsive to Him.
I recently read something about A.W. Tozer, one of my favorite authors. He researched believers who finished their lives well, and steady in their faith. Though they came from different walks of life, he discovered a common thread: spiritual receptivity. Tozer wrote: “Something in them was open to heaven, something which urged them Godward. Without attempting anything like a profound analysis, I shall say simply that they had spiritual awareness and that they went on to cultivate it until it became the biggest thing in their lives. They differed from the average person in that when they felt the inward longing, they did something about it.”1
Psalm 139 tells us that God is always present. He is fully aware of what’s happening in our lives—never absent. Yet in the busyness or disappointments of life, it can feel as though He is far away. I’ve experienced moments when life felt very dark and God seemed distant. I don’t claim to understand why He doesn’t intervene to stop all suffering, but I have made peace with the mystery of Him.
Here’s what I do know: when I feel that inward longing, I press in. I imagine my roots going deeper into Him. I’ve lived long enough to see that eventually, I feel His presence again. In the times when I don’t, I lean in with faith.
Friend, the secret to long-term trust in God is to lean in moment by moment. When God doesn’t make sense, remember that His ways are higher than yours. Resist the urge to create a theology that makes Him fit your understanding. Instead, trust in His goodness and love. Press your roots down deeply into Him—daily, moment by moment. Cultivate rhythms in your life that remind you of His presence. Even when you don’t feel Him or understand His ways, keep pressing in and trusting. Looking back, you’ll see His faithfulness, even in your moments of doubt.
- 1 A.W. Tozar, Knowledge of the Holy (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1961), 8
One practice that has helped me sustain trust over the years is surrounding myself with a tight-knit community. Good friends encourage my walk with God as I encourage theirs. If you haven’t already, order a copy of Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World. I recommend going through it with a few friends. As you process the “one another” statements of Scripture, you’ll grow closer as friends.
Pick up a copy of a copy of Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World here.
