Learning To Lean

"Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and LEAN not to thy own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path."

Growing up in the Baptist church, I recall the choir singing the chorus to an old familiar song… "Learning to lean, learning to lean, I’m learning to lean on Jesus. Finding more power than I’ve ever dreamed; I’m learning to lean on Jesus". …. not on my income nor the nation’s economy, but I’m learning to lean on Jesus.

Three months ago I retired after having worked for 25 years. Retirement is great, but it does not produce the income necessary for parents with children in school; especially those in college. Although it is not producing the income I am accustomed to, it has taught me the dangers of relying on this world’s source as a means of survival. If we are to have any hope of surviving in this age, we had better learn quickly to lean on the Lord who is all sufficient.

In a world where the economy is uncertain and interest is on the rise, we must not forget that God never changes. He has and will always supply All of our needs. He invites us in the 5th chapter of the book of I Peter to cast "all" of our cares on Him for he cares for us. Why is that easier said than done? It is difficult for sinners and believers alike to trust in God because for years we’ve been taught to work, work, work. Our brains are infiltrated with the work-to-achieve philosophy. What our elders failed to teach us is believing beyond what we can see, touch, or even hope for. People, the thing to which I am referring is faith in the Almighty: trusting him with our lives, affairs, children, and everything that concerns you. Although He is not available for us to see, touch or speak directly to, we must be assured that He is ever-present in us, and very available. In fact, believe it or not, he is not only available, he actually enjoys helping us.

God invites us to come before his throne with our petitions and rather than believe him at his word, we ask for the same thing over and over making us beggars instead of believers. Instead of accepting what God has for us and receiving his many gifts, we are still trying to earn it. This displeases the Father who desires to give us all we needs if we would only trust him.

God doesn’t ask us for great faith, he instructs us in the word that if we have the faith of a mustard seed, he will supply our needs.

There are many stories in the Bible concerning Jesus and his followers. One of the greatest parables Jesus told his disciples concerning faith was the story of the centurion. Being a man of authority and understanding the power of the spoken word, this man requested of Jesus to come to his house and heal his servant who lay ill. While Jesus was still a ways off, this man declared, "Jesus did not have to come to his house, but he need only to speak the word and his servant would be made whole."

Jesus’ reply to this man’s faith, "I tell you, " I have not found such great faith even in Israel." Luke 7:1-9.

My dear people, if we are to be the kind of believer God desires to serve him, we had better get hold of this type of faith and never let go.

The world is void of hope, and our governmental officials are arguing over bipartisan lines. The U.S. has become the enemy of nations throughout the world. There is chaos and unrest everywhere. The creditability and approval rating of this nation’s leader is at an all time low and steadily declining.

To make matters worse, the church supposedly a place of redemption, has become a fashion extravaganza and den of thieves. Daily prayer meetings are non-existent and weekly bible studies are competitions between the haves and the have-nots. God is rarely mentioned; instead, we meet only to decide when the next meeting will be.

What will happen to those in need of a savior and who will the sinner turn to for help? Like David, we must trust in the Lord, and lean and depend totally on Him.

In my daily walk, I have discovered that Jesus is the only one in whom we can depend. Everyone has issues and in need of help. Families are divided and very few homes still gather around the family table. Young ladies in search of good decent men are searching in the wrong places. Their values and self worth has taken a severe blow. Chivalry died along with many of the young men in our society.

Instead of engaging in the sanctity of the marriage as outlined in the scripture, our young people are shacking up and selling out. Fathers are absent; mothers are struggling to make ends meet. Grandparents, who have successfully reared their own children, are finding themselves parents once again.

Teen pregnancy and premarital sex, once taboo, are the acceptable norm. Abortions are on the rise and so are divorces.

As it was in Noah’s day, so is it in our time. I was engaged in a conversation with another believer and we both agreed that this world definitely doesn’t seem like home anymore. I don’t know about you, but I sense a spirit of uncertainty everywhere.

I went to the Bible to find a topic for this month’s newsletter, but God instructed me to speak from the heart. This letter to you arises out a deep yearning to get the word out to people everywhere. God is the only one on whom you can depend. Trust me, you will never understand why he leads you in a certain way, but follow your heart. I am successfully not because I have all the money I need. I have less than I ever had, but I am still been blessed. I have two children in college and living on a third of my income, but we all have what we are in need of. God will send you people with the necessary resources to give you what you need. I have a problem asking for help of any kind, but I had to swallow my pride and accept the gifts of God that comes through people. So these last few moments have been lessons in faith and humility.

If we are going to be God’s people and follow his commands, we must be willing to deny ourselves and follow Him daily. We must be willing to trust Him alone.

There was a time when our economy was such that we could rely on our jobs for financial support but those times are no more. Companies who we thought would exist forever are bankrupt and sold out.

A friend asked me the other day, "What are your feelings about the future and what will happen next." My reply to her was the same as Paul to the church at Galatia, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."

People, if you plan or desire success and sufficiency, then you had better adopt the same attitude this apostle possessed.

Christ never fails, and if you trust in Him, neither will you.

By Travestine J. Wright