Good morning…
“May we have faith in the unfolding of our lives,” hoped yesterday’s paraphrase of Psalm 106, “and radical trust in the universe.” What does it mean for us to learn to radically trust the Sustainer of our universe?
Researching the meaning of “radical” in its original language, two Latin words pop up. The adjective “radicalis” means “of, related to, or proceeding from a root.” The noun “radix” means simply “root.” To trust radically, we dig down deep to the root of God’s presence within us. As I treasure hunt the concept further, I discover the article below.
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The 7 Habits Of People Who Place Radical Trust In God – by DAN BURKE – APRIL 29, 2011
I read a lot of biographies and memoirs about inspiring people who place radical trust in God… (by “radical” I don’t mean reckless or imprudent, but am referring to the difficult, very counter-cultural act of recognizing God’s sovereignty over every area of our lives) … true stories… about people from all walks of the Christian life: Catholic and Protestant, consecrated religious and lay people, men and women. And yet they all have distinct similarities in their approaches to life and the Lord.
I found it fascinating to see what common threads could be found in the lives of these incredible people who place so much trust in the Lord, and thought I’d share in case others find it inspiring as well.
1. They accept suffering
2. They accept the inevitability of death
3. They have daily appointments with God
4. In prayer, they listen more than they talk
5. They limit distractions
6. They submit their discernment to others
7. They offer the Lord their complete, unhesitating obedience
“That’s the excitement in obedience,” he said. “Finding out later what God had in mind.”
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Did you catch Burke’s first sentence, linking again “God is sovereign over us” and radical trust? He writes, “…by ‘radical’ I don’t mean reckless or imprudent, but am referring to the difficult, very counter-cultural act of recognizing God’s sovereignty over every area of our lives.”
The word sovereign is borrowed from the Old French “soverain,” which is ultimately derived from the Latin word “superanus,” which means “above.” God’s sovereignty rains down from above unlimited power, unrestricted love, and unbounded grace. Our radical trust is permanently rooted beneath God’s infinite sovereignty. We are protected from above, stabilized by Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Down below. High above. All around. Deep within. God grounds us to overflow with radical trust.
Pondering God’s all-encompassing power, spend some quiet time mulling over this list of seven habits adopted by ordinary people who trust God, radically. Which of these habits do you see the LORD growing most within you during this season of your life? What habits are the most difficult for you to commit to right now? Prayerfully watch God expanding these habits in your daily life over the next week, over the next month, over the next year. And be grateful.
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13, NLT).
…Sue…
