"You have amazing insights."
If I was honest, I would say that this is perhaps the most common response to my blogging. It is a kind comment for sure, as are most comments here, and I am thankful and encouraged by each one. I do, however, sometimes wonder if being recognized for mere "insight" satisfies me too much. Yes, I do posses a weird capability for discovering something interesting from seemingly insignificant moments such as taking out the trash or driving down the interstate. The world is brimming with lessons and reflections of incredible truths. And that is mostly what I use this blog for; writing down the trivial, sometimes interesting insights I collect during the course of my existence. (And yes, those insights have been running dry around here lately, but please be patient with me.)
The thought of being appreciated for written insights used to hold a great deal of pleasure for me. Until I realized that creating a shiny museum of various and sundry "godly thoughts" wasn't really my God-given purpose in life. And that explosive revelation came from a now beloved author named Brennan Manning. About three months ago my eyes grazed these words that led to a complete renovation of my life and my faith. Manning begins the first chapter of his book Ruthless Trust with these words:
This book started writing itself with a remark from my spiritual director. "Brennan, you don't need any more insights into the faith," he observed. "You've got enough insights to last you three hundred years. The most urgent need in your life is to trust what you have received." [emphasis mine]
My eyes would move no further. Those words weren't only meant for Brennan Manning. They were meant for me. I felt the urgency of this conviction. My shallow appetite for the comfortable was exposed. I've filled this blog with over 300 "insightful" posts, but how well do I really trust what I've sometimes casually written? It is far easier to observe and discuss the beauty and intensity of the Christian faith rather than to recklessly cast myself, my dreams, my fears, my insecurities, my infatuation with safety onto an unflinching trust in Jesus Christ.
It is one thing to appreciate truth. It is quite another to trust it. "Insight" denotes an understanding of something. "Trust" tastes like responsibility and commitment. But understand, one is not wrong and the other right. Both are obviously needed for faith in God, as I am learning. Insight and trust nourish each other. By understanding truth in ways that are engaging and applicable, our trust in God should be fed. In turn, in our desperate quest to trust God, we gain a deeper and greater appreciation of what exactly we do or don't understand.
The challenge to actually trust God forced me to to deconstruct what I had spent my life constructing, to stop clutching what I was so afraid of losing, to question my personal investment in every word I had ever written or spoken about Jesus Christ and fearlessly ask myself if I trusted Him. (Manning)
That is the question I am forcing myself to answer. Am I content to observe and record my faith in Christ from a safe distance without risking personal investment in the truth that I share or claim to believe? More than ever before, I hope that I may humbly answer "no." It is worthless to make bold claims about God's goodness, His grace, His love, and His faithfulness without fearlessly offering my whole self on the altar of my assertions.
I have to say this is one of my favorite posts you've written.
ReplyDeleteI must say when I read those words I was sure there were for me as well. This is a post I think I needed to hear because I am now feeling the same thing that you experienced- a conviction I needed to hear. I thank you for sharing this today.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a similar thing in my blog back in March, after reading My Utmost for His Highest. Oswald Chambers said, "We are not saved to be "channels only," but to be sons and daughter of God." I have Ruthless Trust and you've inspired me to dig it out and read it again. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteKaysie! I'm a new reader, as of this very day, and I am blessed by your blog! What beautiful writing, pictures; and your heart so clearly laid bare. Thank you for letting God speak through you...all the joy today! :)
ReplyDeleteWow. God is indeed gathering his people (John 10:16) . I know this for some time now .But to see it happen over and over again ,just builds my faith. This is another endorsement to the power of Bible truth.It sets those who follow all the way free.
ReplyDeleteProverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
My friend Kaysie you are beginning to sound like a protestant (this is a great thing :-) ).
One who protest against traditions and Put Christ first and foremost in our redemption.
your words TRUTH reminds me of John Huss ,Jerome, Ridley ,Cramer,Lattimer and the most famous Luther. These are men who fought and some died for Bible truth.
All the disciples of Christ were killed for not only insight but for truth that brought insight to those who beheld the loveliness of Christ.
I have read many of your post .some I have commented on. And am sure many may have ask what is this guy saying.
But i am seeing natural spiritual growth.
I see that you have accept the light given you,just like some who use a cell phone light to find a larger light (a flash light )in periods of black out. (The world is indeed living in darkness in-case we haven't notice)
This light is leading you to more light and i see you obedient to Christ himself :Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
May God Bless and direct your journey here at the closing moments of Earth's history.
Matthew 24:34
Mark 13:30
Luke writes things in Order Luke 1:1Luke 21:32
Amen continue to walk in Christ our saviour our redeemer who has reveal to us the details (not conspiracy theories) of the end. Rev 1:1-3.
Blessed is all that readeath.
Amen and Amen. I am at such a precipice and needed this thrust into the very breath of God, to fall and trust that His arms will catch me.
ReplyDeleteI praise God for you and your willingness to follow, to stand, to be obedient.
loving you, ~ linda
[...] Insight Must Lead Us Toward Trust. “It is one thing to appreciate truth. It is quite another to trust [...]
ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon your site yesterday Kaysie and I came and stayed longer today.
ReplyDeleteGod has given you wisdom and a gift for writing.
Now, I think, He will begin to season and mature this gift within you.
Your words are a beautiful reflection of grace. Timeless, poignant and the reader becomes hungry for God.
Never doubt that He is using your obedience to write to touch others.