The gatherings are behind us now, the lights are dimming, the tree is coming down. Now what? For many days leading up to Christmas, we’re busy with decorating, cooking, and wrapping gifts, and now it seems the world just stopped spinning. Now there’s a hush, a lull hanging in the air, days in our minds reeling from the busyness of the season. Next is traveling home, going back to work, seeking enough energy to think about getting back into a regular routine and exercise. Now it seems everything that was warm has now turned cold. And now we face the next holiday – a new year.
For some of us, we welcome the normal. Let’s get back into the old routine. And for some of us, this week before the clock strikes 2026, it’s dark and drab, sad to have to pack away the decorations until next year. No matter what side of the coin you choose, this time is a time of uncomfortable transition.
We seek solace, renewed joy, peace of sorts, and an anxious heart for the year to come. It’s hard to wait on the Lord. It’s hard to face the unknown. Perhaps God has laid something new on your heart and you’re excited to begin a new journey. But perhaps you have no idea what God is doing in your life and major changes are ahead. No matter which boat you’re in right now, our faith can be tested by the trying waters, whether a river raging towards new ground, or a trickling creek slowly seeping downhill looking for a place to rest.
Our faith seems to rise when the water is flowing fast and steadily, yet our faith can suffer when we’re unsure of what’s to come as the water slips slowly by, seemingly without purpose. Isn’t that the way we perceive the ways of the Lord when we don’t understand them? And then, as in my situation, I’m in both boats at the same time. Exciting things are happening, yet I feel anxious about the unfamiliar, and what the future may bring.
When God calls us to take a step forward, whether in a life-change or ministry, we hesitate, don’t we? We’re unsure and feel unsteady as though walking across a see-saw from one side to another, expecting to lose our balance and fall one way or the other. God may be moving and requiring us to move, but we stop because we’re not sure of ourselves or even the details of His plan. We need to remember that when God moves and prompts us to move, He has already ordered our steps and prepared the way. What’s required of us is to simply look to Him and trust.
Trust can be such a broad word. We can trust each other, but with indecision. We can trust the opinion of others, but with skepticism. We can even trust that the sun will rise and the moon will set. Yet when it’s time to trust God, we’re unsure if His direction is really what we should be doing, and even be unwilling to stretch ourselves that far.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 reads, “…blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”
This verse certainly puts everything into perspective, doesn’t it? If I trust in the Lord and have confidence in Him, I’m blessed. I’m convinced most of us long to trust God in all things, but honestly, some situations are a struggle. So, what do we do when we don’t have confidence in God? We ask. He wants us to ask. He wants to help. Then we can surrender our lack of trust and believe that He will bring it to fruition.
Often we’re required to wait on Him, and other times we’re required to get moving towards that mountain. When we’re unsure, when we’re afraid, let’s remind ourselves what God’s Word encourages.
“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.” Psalm 56:3-4a
We must not be afraid, grab our sword, and forge with determination. But we must remember that it’s with His help that we’ll succeed. In those times of uncertainty, remember this:
“You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” Psalm 18:28-29
I’ve never been able to advance against a troop or scale a wall, but if the Lord wills it and my trust is high on that scale, there’s no dream too big, no struggle too hard, and no situation that cannot be overcome. We simply must trust with all our hearts and remember that He alone is God. Not me.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
-Sherri Cullison
KINGDOM LIFE AZ 
Leave a comment