Yesterday, with permission from AssistNews.net, I posted a thought-provoking article by Carol Round, “How One Word Can Change Your Life.” In the midst of a long end-of-year to-do list, I made time to do what she suggested. I tried to pick just one word, but two words kept coming to mind: trust and obey.
Blessings on all who reverence and trust the Lord—
on all who obey him!
Psalm 128:1 TLB
I long to be blessed to be a blessing. As Dr. Charles Stanley of In Touch Ministries says, “God’s blessings to us are not meant to end with us. His desire is that they filter down to others.”
But that can only happen as I choose to trust and obey.
I’m reminded of the hymn, “Trust and Obey,” written more than a century ago by John Sammis.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
I love the story behind this hymn. Share Faith says, “In 1887, just following an evangelistic meeting held by Dwight L. Moody, a young man stood to share his story in an after-service testimony meeting. As he was speaking, it became clear to many that he knew little about the Bible or acceptable Christian doctrine. His closing lines, however, spoke volumes to seasoned and new believers alike: I’m not quite sure. But I’m going to trust, and I’m going to obey.”
I’m often “not quite sure” how to manage the workload of directing the Colorado and Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference as well as my writing and speaking ministry and ministry to other writers as a publisher, editor, and mentor. And I must not overlook the most important roles God has given me as a wife, mom, grammy, and friend.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and even fearful. I’ll be seventy years old January 10. Yikes, how have that many years flown by so quickly? I need to trust the Lord for physical strength and mental clarity to obediently do what He calls me to do.
Father, please help me choose to
trust and obey.
Day by day,
“May I know Thee more clearly,
Love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly.”*
What word (or words) have you chosen to focus on in 2015?
*A prayer ascribed to the 13th-century English bishop Saint Richard of Chichester.
Write His Answer 
[…] Yesterday, with permission from AssistNews.net, I posted a thought-provoking article by Carol Round, “How One Word Can Change Your Life.” …read more […]
My word for this year is “called” – the whole phrase is “called by Christ.” God has called me to serve Him in multiple roles. When I am tempted to doubt, I need to remember that I am right where God wants me to be.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
Yes, Heather. He is indeed the Faithful One. His blessings in this new year.
Last year my word was trust and I had to cling to it with everything I had. In the end, my walk and faith were strengthened, but I have learned anew that when you ask God to help you with something, you WILL be put in situations that allow Him to work in you. This year, my word is Abundance. I will continue to trust Him and seek to live in the abundant fullness of His love, mercy, and grace. Not just to survive each day with its joys and trials, but to thrive in them no matter what. 🙂 I wrote about the process here http://lakesidelessons.blogspot.com/2014/12/wrapping-up-and-looking-forward-my-one.html
Yes, not just survive but thrive! Well said. Father, help Toni see the abundance of Your blessings each day of this new year.
Thanks for sharing Marlene. This reminded me of what I started reading in Genesis as Lord willing I read through my Bible this year. Noah did this with the Lord. He put his trust in Him and obeyed – doing ALL of what the Lord said. I miss our meetings and remember well our time of sharing our “word” for the new year. My word is “direction”. Proverbs 16:9 is a verse that the Lord has impressed on my heart, “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” Praying for the Lord’s direction in my life and my writing. We may have plans but it is the Lord that will direct us in the way we should go.
“Direction” is a great word. The daytime critique group is meeting at my home January 15. Would love to see you.