These days, I find that I am stressed — I'm juggling a bunch of deadlines. While I was praying recently, I began thinking about the distractions and pressures that tend to pull me away from following Jesus. Stress, anxiety, and worry are not necessarily helpful. Yes, I'm retired, but that doesn't mean that I'm retired from God. I haven't quit bearing witness to Jesus. Even though I don't get in my car and go to work, I still feel the nudge of the Holy Spirit encouraging me to get out of my La-Z-boy® and do something. This got me to pray even more. Like all Christians, I am called to follow Jesus. Yet, it is easy to get distracted and think that maybe I have a better plan, an easier solution, or a clearer course of action than what Jesus proposes.

We are not alone in this. Let us consider Peter. Shortly after his confession of Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus explained what being the Messiah entailed. He predicted that the elders, the chief priest, and the scribes would kill Him, but that He would be raised on the third day. Peter rebuked Jesus and cried, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." (Matthew 16:22 NRSV)

Let us also remember the time when the disciples had been with Jesus all day healing the sick. As evening set in, they wondered what they were supposed to do with all those people who needed help. Their solution was simple: "Send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." But Jesus had a better plan. "Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds." In the end, five thousand were fed. (Matthew 14:15-21 NRSV)

As I prayed over my inner turmoil, suddenly, it became clear that I was not only distracted with stress, anxiety, and worry, but I was seeking worldly solutions. The Holy Spirit provided His help by reminding me of the hymn, "Trust and obey". Of course, "There is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Trust is another way of describing faith. Faith and trust go hand in hand. Whatever worries we may have, Jesus provides us with inner strength by yoking our spirit to His as we offer our gifts, skills, and competencies to a world in need.

As for me, prayers came alive like never before, as I was moved from distraction to the attraction of being called to follow Jesus and to trust and obey. Praying taught me that the only way to step into the future is by faith in Jesus.

When we obey, our obedience reminds us of our status as disciples: followers who are disciplined. So, we obey our Master, and we sing, "Never fear, only trust and obey."

Prayer: Dear Lord, may we step into the future and the promise of tomorrow only by faith in You. Guide and direct us in all that we do. May we always be mindful to trust and obey Your lead as we follow You this day and forevermore. Amen.

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About the author:

Robin Jennings <robintjennings@gmail.com>
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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