Trust and Vulnerability

This past Sunday, we began our summer sermon series: Walking with Abraham. In Genesis 12, we are introduced to the central theme of the story of Abram: the Lord calls Abram to go where he is sent and to trust in God’s promises. For Abram, this will mean leaving behind all that he has known and all that is familiar. He will travel to a strange land where he will be a foreigner. He will be vulnerable to many dangers and must rely on the Lord’s provision. Yet, the Lord promises 

Pastor McLane

​that he will guide Abram and his family. He will bless Abram, and Abram will be a blessing to others.

Though our destination differs from Abram’s, the content of our call is the same. Like Abram, we are also called to “go to the land that I will show you.” Like Abram, we will find ourselves in places of vulnerability — unsure of the path before us. To live as a foreigner in this world requires that we, too, trust in the promises of God. These promises sustain and equip us to do the work the Lord has given to us. As we hold on to these promises, the Lord blesses his church and blesses others through it. The story of Abram is also our story.

Over the past few months, I’ve been thinking about how important it is to tell this story. We find ourselves living in a culture where the invitation to trust anything is an invitation to disappointment. There are many people and organizations that make empty promises. It is no wonder that many are hesitant to put their trust in anything other than themselves. To trust something is a practice in vulnerability, and nobody wants to be vulnerable.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to model a different way of being. Ours is a vulnerable walk. Each step we take is a testament to the decision we have made to trust in the One who goes before us. Each step is a declaration that we are willing to go to a land that He will show us. This, of course, is not an easy declaration to make. Our trust in God is often marked by hesitation and uncertainty. As far as I’m concerned, that’s normal. Scripture is full of people who respond to God’s call kicking and screaming. Faithfulness and fear are not incompatible. We trust in God because we are unsure of our next steps.

So, how do we practice this trust and vulnerability? Here are a couple of ideas:

• Acknowledge your fears and uncertainties before God
• Share these fears and uncertainties with the people God has placed in your life
• Embrace your weakness as an opportunity for God to demonstrate His strength
• Celebrate and find joy in your need of God’s provision and guidance

There are, of course, many other ways to practice trust. Regardless of its form, trust is simply an act of worship; worship is an act of gratitude; and we have much to be grateful for.

Lord, let me respond to your call and trust in your promises. Amen.

Pastor McLane