Adults have a hard time trusting God when the process is hard and they do not know what the reward will be at the end. But children do not have this problem. For example, Cara, my spiritual daughter, has a beautiful baby girl named Lily. Cara puts Lily on a rug, stands her up, and encourages her to take a step. Lily sways and her legs tremble. When she tries to take a step she falls, but Cara keeps standing her up again and again.

Is Cara being mean or unloving? Is she asking for something unreasonable from a ten month old? Of course not!  Parents understand that they must require difficult things from their children if they are to grow into healthy, happy, and productive adults. Babies trust their parents so much that they are willing to try to take that difficult step over and over, and fall repeatedly, even though they do not understand the full benefits of walking. By being obedient and going through this frustrating, painful process of learning to walk, children are introduced to a whole new and wonderful world they can explore. Oh, what joy!

Christians, we have to trust God so much that we are willing to do what He asks, even if we have to do it swaying and trembling. When He beckons, we must take a step, refusing to allow frustrations and pain to stop us. There is a whole new and wonderful world to explore, if we are willing to learn today’s “steps.”

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). Go ahead, trust Him, and take that step. Oh, what joy!

Have there been times when you were afraid to trust God and try something difficult and new?