My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. … But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. … Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost… —Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude
There was a gentleman at my friend’s church who loved to serve. He’d been a part of this church for years—attending all the Bible studies, men’s groups, and various events. He consistently showed up on Sundays and tithed religiously, doing all the right stuff.
But my friend had a feeling this gentleman—while saved—didn’t know Jesus very well. So he reached out and invited the guy to get together regularly. Each time the two met, my friend asked the same questions: What is Jesus working on in your life? And, What is Jesus saying to you?
At first the man didn’t have an answer. “What do you mean? How can I possibly know what Jesus is saying?” It was a great question. So my friend showed him how to hear Jesus through Scripture and how to respond in prayer.
A couple months later, they got together again. “I know what you’re going to ask,” the man said. “And this time I have an answer. I think He’s talking to me about how I treat my wife.” And off they went into the real stuff of life in Christ. Over time, this man left behind the need to do more and be more for God, choosing instead to trust Him.
What’s the difference between living a life trying to please God versus living a life trusting God? Trying to please God is about our best effort to connect with Jesus. But there is a better way—the way of trusting. When we trust God, we please Him too.
Without faith it is impossible to please God … (Hebrews 11:6)
Walking in faith is synonymous with pleasing God. This week, we’re going to examine what a life of faith looks like.
Jesus, how are You working in my life and in my ability to trust You? And what do You have to say to me this week about living a life of faith? I’m eager to discover the answers to these questions. Amen.