Anybody, anybody, anybody…

by Jim Rower

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” –Proverbs 3:5-6 

Recently, I heard a radio station play a recording from a baby monitor of a girl waking from a nap in her crib. She called out, “Mama, mama, mama…” over and over for quite some time, but Mama never came. Then, she paused for a second and started calling, “Anybody, anybody, anybody…”

I felt a tinge of pity for the poor girl as I laughed at the audio clip. For her, as for most young children, Mama and Dada were probably her whole life. They are the only ones she trusted fully. They provided everything for her, ensured her health and safety, amused her, and taught her everything she knows. But in that moment, Mama wasn’t responding to her pleas—at least not quickly enough for her liking. 

In whom do I put my trust? The Bible says we are to, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Though I know He will never let me down, frequently I fall short of trusting Him completely. I tend to lean on my own understanding first and look to God only after my own efforts have failed…or to give up on Him when my prayers aren’t answered quickly enough or the answer doesn’t fit into my plan. Trusting fully in Him is particularly difficult when God is challenging me to step outside of my comfort zone; to take risks for Him.

We have this promise, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Frequently, my difficulty in trusting Him is because my earthly definition of what is “good” for me isn’t aligned with the “good” God has planned for me.

That’s where faith comes in. I think I’m growing in my faith…I’m getting better at trusting Him, but I know I have a long way to go.

Father God, forgive me when I am impatient for or ignore Your directions. Help me to trust in You always, continuously, and with all of my heart. In particular, give me the strength to take risks when You ask me to, and step out boldly for You. May my thoughts, words, and actions bring You glory. Amen.