Trust

I have a tough time trusting God. It's hard sometimes, and I often wish that "childlike faith" would overwhelm my intellect. All those thoughts rattling around in my mind are worthless, but I cling to them because they are comfortable.

As I was driving home tonight, I was so frustrated. I realize I have some issues I need to deal with (the kind of sin done over and over again but cannot seemingly be stopped, that kind), but God hasn't helped! "Why aren't you helping me deal with these things?! Don't you want me free? Don't you want me perfect and holy," I cried out to him. But the all-knowing Holy Spirit told me, "I do want you free. But I want you free in My timing." I gritted my teeth and told Him that I would trust His timing.

Isn't that interesting that the Lord would care so deeply about the simple fact I need to surrender all control to Him, even before Him delivering me from my flesh?

John 15:1-7 (ESV)
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

The Greek word here is "μένω" or "menō." It means two different things. The first definition is: to not depart from, and the second is: to wait for. Both of these take trust to perform adequately. But if don't depart from Christ and wait for Him, then the Holy Spirit can produce fruit in my life, not by my doing, but by my trusting.