Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean
on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make
straight your paths.
Do you remember the day you learned to ride a bike without
the training wheels? The sensation of trying to balance on two wheels without
toppling over. Those first tentative pedals as you gratefully felt your
parent’s hand on the seat of your bike. The first fall as you tried to take off
on your own. The second fall, the third… Then, finally, riding on your own.
The training wheels taught you how to balance and gave you
support as you learned to pedal and steer. They helped you trust in your
abilities as you learned to ride faster and faster. Yet, they were never
intended to stay on forever. They were simply temporary supports as you
developed the skills to ride on your own.
The Christian life is learned, much like learning to ride a
bike.
As we begin growing in faith, God often gives us training
wheels. We lean into community with other Christians, we study the Bible, and
we learn to pray. In time, we learn to hear God’s voice and listen for his
direction. As we learn to go to God for everything, we learn to rely on
following where he leads. At some point, though, he wants us to take off the
training wheels and learn to use what we’ve learned.
Training in faith sets us up to live more confidently as
Christians
That’s the thing about training. You learn as an apprentice
for a time, with the intent to learn to it on your own eventually. When our
kids are little, we guide each and every step, but as they grow we push them
ever closer to independence. As much as we love helping them, we know it’s our
job to equip them to live on their own, making sound decisions based on the
values we’ve instilled in their hearts. God does the same with us. He wants to
train us and guide us, intending eventually for us to be able to make some
decisions on our own.
The Christian life is learned, much like riding a bike.
Sometimes, we need to remove our faith training wheels and practice what we've
learned. Is it time to remove yours and put what you've learned from God into
practice? God wants us to trust him and stay close, but like a good parent he
also wants to train us to make good decisions
It’s not that God doesn’t want us to ask for guidance and
help, but he does want us to develop the wisdom and good judgment to make some
decisions on our own. He wants to set our hearts in the right direction and let
us take off.
Dear Lord, thanks for the guidance that you give to each of
us. Help us to take the training wheels off and use what we have learned. Keep
us learning as we travel through this life. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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