Proverbs 3:1-6
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:1-6 (NIV)
When my son was in high school, he played basketball. He was a really good shooter but lacked aggressiveness. His junior year he was named a starter. He was so excited as he worked hard to get there. Fast forward five games in and he sprained his ankle during a game. Sidelined for a few games. When he returned, his coach made him a come-off-the-bench-guy. All he knew was that he seemed to have lost his starting spot. He was devastated! He complained to us every night after practice. We just kept telling him to trust the process and his coach. As the season progressed, he realized that this was a better position for him to be successful. He ended up having a great season!
Proverbs says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” As parents (and in this story coaches too) we often ask our children to do the same thing with us. Not because we are always right, but that we can usually see farther down the road than they can. Parenting teaches us something too. Watching our son struggle to trust the adults that were leading him gave me a glimpse of how God must feel with us. We often see only what is directly in front of us. God sees everything. This passage speaks so deeply to parents: we spend years teaching our children to trust wisdom they cannot yet see, while God spends our entire lives teaching us the very same lesson. The lesson from that basketball season wasn’t really about being a starter and winning games. It was about learning that trust comes before understanding. Sometimes the best growth happens when we stop insisting on our own way and follow the wisdom of someone who can see farther down the court than we can.
Questions for Reflection:
- Can you think of a time when God’s plan turned out better than your own?
- In what area of your life do you currently need to trust God more?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me the guidance and path to follow in my life. There are times when I want to take control and follow my own plan. Give me the humility to seek you first and the faith to believe that your way is better than mine. As a parent, help me model trust in you for my children. We know that your way is the best and we will continue to trust in you with all our heart. Amen.
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