The Challenge of Trusting God

By: Anthony Martin

Of all the things in my Christian journey, the one that has been the most difficult is trusting God. I have no problem trusting His character; it is placing my trust in His providence that has been my challenge from time to time. There are moments when I find myself in a struggle between my ability and God's ability. Sometimes it is difficult to reconcile in my mind that God is working and moving on my behalf. Are you one of those men who say within themselves, "I have to make it happen because no one else is going to do it for me"? Well, you are in good company. As men we are hard-wired with a "drivers" mentality. We want to be in control. We want to take the lead over our own lives. A man and his wife both walk to the car, and if you notice; the man automatically goes to the driver's side. We want to drive, take the lead, and be in control. The only thing is—so does God. 

This is where we have the choice to either challenge His position or submit to it. It's one thing to acknowledge God in our lives; but it is another thing entirely to allow Him to lead us. We trust that God is who He says He is. We don't question it. However, when He tells us to trust in Him with all of our hearts, and lean not to our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5), it can really be challenging, especially when we have relied on our way of viewing and approaching matters. 

Trusting God has been a struggle for most Christian men, who find it difficult allowing God to lead and drive. The key to overcoming this is daily interaction with God in prayer and in the study of His Word. This is a discipline that will yield tremendous results. His words will speak to your mind and feed your thoughts. His Words will gradually replace  self-reliant attitudes and behaviors. Before long, what was difficult will become a way of life.    
 

Who are We to Follow Now?

By: Wilfred Haynes

This question came to me as I was driving and listening to National Public Radio about another famous leader that had passed away. I thought about how much he meant to his community and the lives of those he touched. He was a great example of what we could become and what we considered the best of the best.

Then I thought to myself, “Who we are to follow now?” That question haunted me because as it made me look at myself. Could I be the next leader to make an impact on the lives of others? Do I have what it takes to step up, deny myself and give back to someone else? Can I be a leader?

So many times we talk about what our leaders are doing or not doing, but never actually step up in our own way to become leaders. I thought about the definition of a leader. To find the meaning I went to the greatest leader of all time―Jesus Christ. He had a few characteristics that I want to highlight.

Jesus was selfless

He never was in it for the fame, glory, or honor. We as future leaders need to be selfless. Is it tough? Yes, it is hard to channel your ambition to move others forward and delay your aspirations. We as future leaders have to see, as Jesus did, the deepest need of people. They will not understand us or see what we see, but as leaders, we have to guide them, always keeping the objective in sight. I love that about our Lord. He led a small group of people and moved them forward with his sights on the bigger picture. It was never about him―it was about them.

Jesus connected to People

Some may call this charisma, but it wasn’t. He understood that every human was the same. We all have issues, problems, and stories. One gift that Jesus had was the ability to identify with us. He walked the earth in human flesh. We as leaders must connect and realize that those following us have hopes and dreams as we do. By understanding that, we see each other as fellow human beings trying to figure out what this world is all about and where our place is in it.

Jesus was trustworthy

As leaders, we have to show up even when others do not. We have to stand by our word. We cannot be unstable. Jesus was faithful and true to his course. He never deviated from his mission and purpose in this life. He was building credibility all the time. That is the one area that we have to always be mindful of as leaders. If we lose trust it is so hard to gain it back. If you have it, you can compare it to a good investment. It pays huge dividends.

You and I can answer the question poised in the beginning―who are we to follow now? Yes, we can be that next generation of leaders. We can start in our homes, on our jobs, at church, and at school. We can take our rightful place in our communities and make a major impact in the world.