Opinion
Leaning back into the arms of Jesus
Ruth Lilley reminds us that trusting in the arms of Jesus is the best way to tackle the uncertainties that life brings our way.
Over the last week or two, the nation has been busy with the coronation of our country’s king. As he continues on his royal journey, I am certain that he hopes to do the best in his role and duty as king. However, he does not know what lies ahead - he has to trust that he is able.
For me too, I do not know what lies ahead and I just have to trust that I am able. There is a ‘trust game’ that I played many times when I was younger and often with my children as they have grown up. The aim of the game is to stand with someone behind you and simply fall back into their arms. Their part is to catch you as you fall back and that is where the trust comes in!
How wonderful to know that, as I trust, I will always be caught. Whatever I face, wherever the day may take me, I can simply lean back and know that my Jesus will be there. I can fall into His arms. As I fall back, I am relinquishing control of what I am facing or the tricky choices that need to be made. As I am caught, it will be Jesus that gently enables me to take the next step, in His care and guidance.
There is a song that I used to sing when I was younger: ‘I do not know what lies ahead, the way I cannot see…(but) I know who holds the future and He’ll guide me with his hand.’
With every sunrise comes a new day and I have no idea what that day might bring. Yet, I am loved by my heavenly King who I can trust completely because He does know the way.
I can make plans and preparations - I can expect this and hope for that. I could spend all my time and energy investing in these hopes and plans and they may never come to pass. Whereas if, instead, I were to keep leaning back, to keep trusting the safe hands of Jesus, then I will be investing in His hopes and plans for me.
‘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 a hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
As I continue on my journey, I feel that is the best choice I can make – to trust in the arms of Jesus. In Him, I am able.
The image is by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.
Ruth Lilley teaches at an infant school in Norwich. She also enjoys writing, and writes a regular blog called ‘With Every Sun Comes A New Day.’
The views carried here are those of the author, not of Network Norwich and Norfolk, and are intended to stimulate constructive debate between website users.