Author: Steve Popoola
Once in
a while, I have walked into my Branch Manager’s office when the pressure
of work has reduced, and had a discussion usually based on issues bordering on
scripture and Christian living.
A couple
of days ago, our discussion bordered on financial management and how to avoid
unnecessary expenses. Along the line, we talked about the actions of some
Christians who live perpetually on the charitable deeds of others. She told me
how some people would be waiting for her after service asking for some
financial assistance or another. I then remembered another friend of mine who
told me of a similar experience she had been going through. It is quite
unfortunate that sometimes, these people fail to understand that you do not
always have the means to assist them.
After our discussion, I traveled many years into my past and remembered my experiences as a young Christian. There were times I went to church hungry, not because I was fasting or left home in a rush that I could not eat. No, I left home hungry because there was nothing to eat. Yet I would get to church and get lost in the ecstasy of being in the presence of the Lord. I would come out of the service singing praises on an empty stomach with the assurance that all would be well. As I walked home, other church members gail y dressed and in expensive cars would drive past me oblivious of my circumstances.
I never had to approach anyone for help. I had learned when I was young that a man could not so much as lift up a hand to help me except the Lord directs. There were times I even dared the Lord (in a positive sense), by giving the little I had in my pocket, which was probably all I had to pay for my transport fare home, as an offering. Somehow, the Lord would make sure that I got home either by sending someone to take me home or near my home. Time and time again, I have learned that the Lord wants us to trust Him no matter what.
This is not to say that we should not share our needs and troubles with friends and those who are close to us. I do share my troubles and needs with a few friends and in many cases; some of them have even offered help which I gratefully accepted. In accepting their help, I give thanks to the Lord because I know that if the Lord had not moved them to help, no matter how pathetic my situation may be, they may not feel inclined to help and it would be very foolish of me to hold it against them.
My favorite verse in the Bible is Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
I take this verse of scripture seriously and so should everyone who is called by the name of Christ. This is not to say that I haven’t had problems trusting God over the years. There were times I didn’t understand what He was doing and I wanted to find some other way out but I soon found out that no other way could work except His.
This scripture, thus gave me a direction and focus; in order for my ways to be smooth, I needed to trust Him.
...and so should you.
After our discussion, I traveled many years into my past and remembered my experiences as a young Christian. There were times I went to church hungry, not because I was fasting or left home in a rush that I could not eat. No, I left home hungry because there was nothing to eat. Yet I would get to church and get lost in the ecstasy of being in the presence of the Lord. I would come out of the service singing praises on an empty stomach with the assurance that all would be well. As I walked home, other church members gail y dressed and in expensive cars would drive past me oblivious of my circumstances.
I never had to approach anyone for help. I had learned when I was young that a man could not so much as lift up a hand to help me except the Lord directs. There were times I even dared the Lord (in a positive sense), by giving the little I had in my pocket, which was probably all I had to pay for my transport fare home, as an offering. Somehow, the Lord would make sure that I got home either by sending someone to take me home or near my home. Time and time again, I have learned that the Lord wants us to trust Him no matter what.
This is not to say that we should not share our needs and troubles with friends and those who are close to us. I do share my troubles and needs with a few friends and in many cases; some of them have even offered help which I gratefully accepted. In accepting their help, I give thanks to the Lord because I know that if the Lord had not moved them to help, no matter how pathetic my situation may be, they may not feel inclined to help and it would be very foolish of me to hold it against them.
My favorite verse in the Bible is Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
I take this verse of scripture seriously and so should everyone who is called by the name of Christ. This is not to say that I haven’t had problems trusting God over the years. There were times I didn’t understand what He was doing and I wanted to find some other way out but I soon found out that no other way could work except His.
This scripture, thus gave me a direction and focus; in order for my ways to be smooth, I needed to trust Him.
...and so should you.
“Trust
in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou
shalt be fed.” - Psalm 37:3
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