Taking that Step of Trust

Several years ago, my husband and I spent the weekend at the lake to celebrate our wedding anniversary.  On our second day there, we decided to explore some back country before taking a float on a local river.

As we drove around the dusty roads, we came across an ancient looking bridge which crossed a turbulent, extremely deep river.

Now when I say this bridge looked old, I mean it could have come straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting.  Being a city girl, the thing looked as if the last to maneuver it was a horse and buggy. 

My husband pulled the car over and with a twinkle in his eye said, “Let’s go!”  Hesitantly, I gathered my nerve and we began to cross.  “No big deal I thought,” though I’m terribly afraid of heights.  As I walked cautiously, I began to notice humongous cracks between the boards allowing me to view the river raging below. 

If that wasn’t enough, an old car came around the dirt road behind us and made its way across the bridge.  I froze.  “Lord, I can’t do this!”  My legs would not move, and a waive of terror came over me. 

That’s when I noticed it.  Rick’s hand was extended out to mine.  Gently he said, “Come on, hon, I’ll help you across.  Trust me.”  With that, I grabbed on to his hand and made my way across.  I must admit the view was spectacular, but the journey over took its toll on my nerves.

Aren’t we like that with God?  How many times has He led us to something that seems like the impossible?   We might fight against it, even to the point of stopping dead in our tracks, rendering ourselves helpless.

God’s Word reminds us, “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 56:3-4.

The Lord also says that if we, “Trust in the LORD with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding, He will make our paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (paraphrase)

Next time you feel uncertainty and fear, reach out to the hand that is extended.  He will guide you safely across.  And…the view is spectacular!

God bless!

Kristi