A heart of trust is discovered on the outskirts of the familiar and the known. As one poet said,
When you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen: There will be something solid for you to stand upon, or, you will be taught how to fly. Patrick Overton
I’m not one for heights but I couldn’t pass on a chance to join a couple young guys in their reckless and wild jump of a rock into the cold lake below. Once my feet left the rock, hoping this was a good idea, I was fully committed. It takes courage to move beyond the limits of our experience and into a realm we have yet to discover. This is the realm where Google maps have yet to go, and where there are few guides to lead us. This last frontier is spiritual, and there is One who will lead us if we will trust him.
Trust is a matter of the heart according to the Proverbs.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov 3: 5,6
It involves a certainty that there is an author and director behind the scenes of our life.
By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
by his knowledge the deeps were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew. Prov 3:19
The one who has gone this path ahead of us is Jesus. He said of himself, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14) The Bible also states that he is the Word and through him all things were made. (John 1) Therefore, we can have great assurance in our guide.
Knowing about God and trusting in Him is not the same thing. I can know about aerodynamics and yet never dare to fly. Religion can help us get to the edge of the light, but it is the person of Jesus Christ who holds our hand in the dark. We are not alone; one is walking the road with us and removing the obstacles that can trip us up.
Nothing intensifies the mind like uncertainly and danger. Trust is not passive; rather it is like the thrill of jumping from a rock into the lake below. You feel in the moment fully alive.