Many people on our squad have decided to get a tattoo- 4 have done so, and more are thinking about it. It has certainly been a topic of conversation. I have often thought off and on about getting one since I was about 16 years old, so I am considering it. Even if I don’t end up with one, I really wanted to share with you the thoughts I have had about WHY I am even considering it right now.
God has done some incredible stuff in everyone’s lives this year. He has shown up in ways unexpected, and kept us safe from many dangers. He has healed people, and He has taught all of us so many lessons. The first question Andi asked me when I wondered aloud what to get for a tattoo was “what have you learned this year”? So I sat and I really thought about it. I have learned a lot of things, and many verses have spoken to me at different points during this year. I have had my ups, and I have had some seriously low downs. Thinking about getting a tattoo has actually helped in the processing, debriefing process. What I discovered was that when it comes right down to it, a lot of what I learned comes down to TRUST. Do I TRUST God? If I were to get my tattoo it would be this word. TRUST, with vines through it and the reference Hebrews 10:23 underneath it.
Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold firmly to the hope that we have confessed, because we can trust God to do what he promised.
This verse encompasses many of the lessons I have learned, and that I am still learning. The most recent being how to wait on the Lord. As I am waiting on the Lord, the question is do I trust Him to bring something worth waiting for at the right time? Do I trust Him that He has something for me at all? TRUST. A good reminder that God wouldn’t tell me to wait without reason.
One of my favourite verses this year is Isaiah 30:21.
Isaiah 30:21
If you go the wrong way-to the right or to the left-you will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the right way. You should go this way.”
TRUST that God will guide my steps. He will let me know the right direction for my life.
Romans 8:28
We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him.
TRUST that God will bring good from every situation I find myself in, even guys with guns in my face.
Jeremiah 29:11
I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.
TRUST that God has something good planned for me. TRUST His plans.
Romans 5:5
And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us.
Isaiah 28:16
Because of these things, this is what the Lord God says: “I will put a stone in the ground in Jerusalem, a tested stone. Everything will be built on this important and precious rock. Anyone who trusts in it will never be disappointed.”
TRUST that God will never disappoint me. TRUST this hope that I have.
Isaiah 40:31
But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired.
Colossians 1:11
God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient.
TRUST that God will make me strong.
Psalm 91
1 Those who go to God Most High for safety will be protected by the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety and protection. You are my God and I trust you.”
3 God will save you from hidden traps and from deadly diseases.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you can hide. His truth will be your shield and protection.
5 You will not fear any danger by night or an arrow during the day.
6 You will not be afraid of diseases that come in the dark or sickness that strikes at noon.
7 At your side one thousand people may die, or even ten thousand right beside you, but you will not be hurt.
8 You will only watch and see the wicked punished.
9 The Lord is your protection; you have made God Most High your place of safety.
10 Nothing bad will happen to you; no disaster will come to your home.
11 He has put his angels in charge of you to watch over you wherever you go.
12 They will catch you in their hands so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.
13 You will walk on lions and cobras you will step on strong lions and snakes.
14 The Lord says, “Whoever loves me, I will save. I will protect those who know me.
15 They will call to me, and I will answer them. I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue them and honor them.
16 I will give them a long, full life, and they will see how I can save.”
2 I will say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety and protection. You are my God and I trust you.”
3 God will save you from hidden traps and from deadly diseases.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you can hide. His truth will be your shield and protection.
5 You will not fear any danger by night or an arrow during the day.
6 You will not be afraid of diseases that come in the dark or sickness that strikes at noon.
7 At your side one thousand people may die, or even ten thousand right beside you, but you will not be hurt.
8 You will only watch and see the wicked punished.
9 The Lord is your protection; you have made God Most High your place of safety.
10 Nothing bad will happen to you; no disaster will come to your home.
11 He has put his angels in charge of you to watch over you wherever you go.
12 They will catch you in their hands so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.
13 You will walk on lions and cobras you will step on strong lions and snakes.
14 The Lord says, “Whoever loves me, I will save. I will protect those who know me.
15 They will call to me, and I will answer them. I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue them and honor them.
16 I will give them a long, full life, and they will see how I can save.”
TRUST that God will keep me safe.
Matthew 6:33
Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.
TRUST that God will look after my needs.
James 5:13-18
13 Anyone who is having troubles should pray. Anyone who is happy should sing praises.14 Anyone who is sick should call the church’s elders. They should pray for and pour oil on the person in the name of the Lord.15 And the prayer that is said with faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will heal that person. And if the person has sinned, the sins will be forgiven.16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can heal you. When a believing person prays, great things happen.17 Elijah was a human being just like us. He prayed that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years!18 Then Elijah prayed again, and the rain came down from the sky, and the land produced crops again.
TRUST that God will hear and answer my prayers.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
TRUST that God has given me BOLDNESS and POWER.
One thing that Michael said to me when I told him my most important lesson of this year was to trust God really stuck out at me. He told me that trust is the highest form of faith. If you asked any father if he would rather his children have faith in him or trust him, he would say trust without a doubt. Faith is having hope for something to happen, trust is having already seen it happen. Faith is hoping God will save you, trust is knowing God will save you, because I have already seen Him save me. When I heard Michael say this, that’s what sealed the deal.
God has given me many promises this year. Promises for provision, protections, power and guidance. He has promised all of these things to me. Hebrews wraps it all up by saying we CAN trust God for all of the things He has promised. I have been learning how to do that this year. How to let go of the control I so desperately want to hold on to, and to TRUST that God is able to, and will look after me. It would be a reminder to me that I have learned to trust and to continue trusting. Do you trust the Lord?
