Of all my life-verses, Proverbs 3:5-6 takes first prize:
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.
That relates to the launch of Barnabas School of Leadership. My temptation is to manipulate things, to pull strings and to fret about questions like: “How could something as daunting as BSL ever be funded? or “How can we access leadership resources in multiple languages represented in countries like Myanmar and Nepal? In July of last year, I just “happened” to stay with Kirk and Dawn Wilson, friends of friends in Denver, Colorado. When I explained that there are limited leadership and theological resources in Myanmar, Kirk said, “No problem. Through my IT work with Operation Mobilization I can supply lots of these resources.” In the opening page of the BSL website you’ll see pastors with Android tablets that, through the “chance” meeting with Kirk, were loaded with amazing resources in five different Burmese languages.
It also relates to life-issues. Recently, out of the blue, I lost part of the sight in my left eye due to a Retinal Vein Occlusion. I went into high gear, researching multiple websites (my family calls me Dr Google) and feverishly consulting more than one Opthalmologist. When I went on a prayer walk recently, I meditated on Proverbs 3:5-6 all over again and came up with this meditative paraphrase:
“Trust Yahweh with all you’ve got and all you are, and stop trying to pull strings, instead, simply live in his Presence and surrender to him in every step you take, and he will keep you on his track.”
I experienced an overwhelming sense of relief as I pulled back from manipulation and simply told the Lord how much I trust him and that I know he is with me. I wish I could say I always cease from striving. The truth is, it is a daily, sometimes hourly discipline to trust rather than pull strings.
Rowland
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