Faith That Sits All the Way Down
Alright, I’ll swan to goodness, Buttercup, grab yourself a front porch seat that don’t wobble, creak, or threaten to pitch you into those azalea bushes over there ‘cause we’re ‘bout to go ‘a-wander into a truth deeper than an ol’ catfish hole after a good lil’ ol’ summer rain.
Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” And right alongside that, Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” That there is God’s way o’ ‘a-sayin’ quit ‘a-tryin’ to balance your life like a long-tailed cat ‘a-walkin’ through a room full o’ rockin’ chairs. You’ve gotta be ‘a-trustin’ Him fully, not halfway, not sorta, not like “I done got this, Lord, but be ‘a-keepin’ an eye on me just in case.”
Now, Buttercup, that there belief is just ‘a-puttin’ all your weight on Jesus. Not ‘a-hoverin’ like a nervous lil ol’ turkey buzzard. Not ‘a-sittin’ down like you’re ‘a-tryin’ to keep one cheek on the chair and one on the escape route. When you done plopped yourself down earlier today, you didn’t test that there seat, interview it, or ask for references. You just sat yourself right on down on it. That there is real belief. That there is real trust. That there is real faith with both boots done planted right on the ground.
But some folks are ‘a-sittin’ in faith like a cow ‘a-tryin’ to perch on a fence rail with one foot on Jesus and one foot on their own good works. One hand on grace and one hand on religious performance. That there, Buttercup, just ain’t faith. That’s ‘a-hedgin’ your bets like a squirrel ‘a-tryin’ to hide the same ol’ nut in three different places.
Real belief means total dependence. All your weight is done put on Him. You ain’t got no backup plan. No spiritual safety net. No “just in case.” Jesus plus nothing done equals eternal life. Addin’ your works to His finished work is like ;a-tryin’ to help a beaver build a dam by ‘a-handin’ him a wet paper towel. It’s not needed, it’s not helpful, and it insults the One who done already finished the job.
So, stop ‘a-hoverin’. Stop ‘a-holdin’ back. Stop actin’ like the chair of salvation might be ‘a-collapsin’ right out from under you. Jesus done promised that He’ll be ‘a-holdin’ you, and He ain’t never once dropped not even one soul.
Father, be ‘a-helpin’ me to be ‘a-trustin’ You with all my weight, all my heart, and all my hope. Keep me from ‘a-leanin’ on my own understandin’ like a lil’ ol’ goat ‘a-leanin’ on a busted fence post. Be ‘a-teachin’ me to rest fully in what Jesus has already done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, Buttercup, as you git to steppin’ off this here porch and right on back into your day, an’ be ‘a-rememberin’ that faith is not a half-sit, half-stand wobble like a possum ‘a-tryin’ to decide if the road is safe. It’s a fully settled, deep rest, a whole weight kind o’ trust. Let Jesus carry you like a strong mule ‘a-carryin’ a load up a mountain trail. He’s real steady. He’s real sure. An’ He’ll never ever be ‘a-lettin’ you fall.
With joy,
Gwen
