1st Presbyterian Church Coeur d'Alene ID
  • Home
    • Connect With Us >
      • Prayer Request
      • eNews Archive >
        • 2020 eNews Archive
  • Who We Are
    • Leadership & Staff >
      • Job Opportunities
      • Blogs >
        • Blog Archive 2021 >
          • Our Mission
          • Blog Archive 2020
    • Elders, Deacons & Ministry Teams
    • History >
      • Barb McPland Clothing Giveaway
      • Keefer's Cabin
      • Past Ministers
    • What Presbyterians Believe
    • Annual Reports
  • Ministries
    • Family Ministry >
      • Nursery
      • Children
      • 1st Pres Youth
      • Family Connections
    • Missions
    • Serve >
      • Choir >
        • Special Music Archive
      • Church Ministry Teams
      • Ecumenical Kitchen
      • Family Promise
      • Handbell Choir
      • Knitting for Warmth
      • Praise Team
      • Reception Team
    • Grow >
      • Book Studies
      • Men's Fellowship
      • Presbyterian Women
      • Sermon-based Small Groups
      • Sunday Bible Study
      • Women's Circles
  • Sundays
    • Contemplative Worship
    • Classic Worship
    • Sermons
  • Giving
  • Calendar

Trust and Vulnerability

6/13/2023

1 Comment

 
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 
Picture
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
1 Comment
suzy jolley
6/14/2023 11:03:15 pm

As always, you have given us so much to think about and pray about. We so appreciate your meaningful messages and life lessons.
As a matter of fact, I'm taking up a collection for a snazzy black leather jacket with cool fringe for you and your new wheels . . .

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    What's Up

    Our staff is voluntold each week and with grace they share their thoughts.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020

Home
Calendar
Connect With Us
Giving
Staff
Worship Schedule
 First Presbyterian Church | 521 E Lakeside Ave | Coeur d'Alene | ID  83814
​Copyright © 1888 - 2025
​
  • Home
    • Connect With Us >
      • Prayer Request
      • eNews Archive >
        • 2020 eNews Archive
  • Who We Are
    • Leadership & Staff >
      • Job Opportunities
      • Blogs >
        • Blog Archive 2021 >
          • Our Mission
          • Blog Archive 2020
    • Elders, Deacons & Ministry Teams
    • History >
      • Barb McPland Clothing Giveaway
      • Keefer's Cabin
      • Past Ministers
    • What Presbyterians Believe
    • Annual Reports
  • Ministries
    • Family Ministry >
      • Nursery
      • Children
      • 1st Pres Youth
      • Family Connections
    • Missions
    • Serve >
      • Choir >
        • Special Music Archive
      • Church Ministry Teams
      • Ecumenical Kitchen
      • Family Promise
      • Handbell Choir
      • Knitting for Warmth
      • Praise Team
      • Reception Team
    • Grow >
      • Book Studies
      • Men's Fellowship
      • Presbyterian Women
      • Sermon-based Small Groups
      • Sunday Bible Study
      • Women's Circles
  • Sundays
    • Contemplative Worship
    • Classic Worship
    • Sermons
  • Giving
  • Calendar