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Day Seven: Trust in the Lord

The very essence of New Church faith is a trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a trust in the truth of His Word, no matter what appearance of hopelessness stands before us. So often the Lord is waiting with miracles we cannot yet see, that would seem impossible to our finite minds, and the only thing preventing them is our reluctance to trust and take the next step. If we believe in the possibility of those miracles, then we will work with the Lord in their realization. We will share the journey with Him.

What is it to go forward? Often we simply have to continue in our obligations to others. In these times of despair our tendency is to turn inward toward self. We say to ourselves, "Look at all I’ve done. What about me?" The command to forget self and look outward toward others seems foreign in a hurting state of mind. Yet in His wisdom the Lord knows that such an inversion of attitude is just what we need to break the state of despair that has caused us to stand still. For example a teacher can spend hours fulfilling her tasks, but she is not moving forward and the tasks have no purpose if she does not keep the benefit of the students as her focus.

"Going forward" is the healing power of serving others in our lives. Even a menial task – like sweeping a floor when we feel emotionally paralyzed – can refocus our lives outward so we have the strength to continue the journey. If we go forward, no matter what the obstacles that stand before us, the Lord will part the waters in our way.

Moses spoke to the people, and they began the march forward toward the sea. Moses held up his staff, and the waters divided. The children of Israel walked forward in safety. After they crossed on dry ground, the sea closed in on the pursuing Egyptians, and the children of Israel rejoiced.

The words "go forward" touch our faith and trust in the Lord. We need to believe that miracles can take place in relationships and in life. The sea that stands in our way does not part until we begin walking toward it. This is trust in the face of death. If we feel that we are going to part the seas ourselves, we will find it to be impossible. The Lord’s actions in our lives can seem impossible from our finite perspective. We come to places where our only response to continuing the journey is, "That’s impossible," and that realization can be a key moment for us. Impossibilities are the Lord’s forte. It is only when we truly give up knowing how the Lord will do it that we finally let Him do His part and move us forward on our spiritual path.

Key Point
Impossibilities are the Lord’s forte.

Reflections
Describe miracles you have seen in your life. What are the miracles for which you pray?

Winston Churchhill said: "If you are going through hell, keep going." Do you find there are times in your life when you want to dwell in the hellish thoughts/feelings you have even though you know they are hurtful? What is the wisdom you find in Churchhill’s statement?

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Discussion Board
Share your thoughts on today's Journey in the discussion board.

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