I don’t believe I’ve ever felt more profoundly inept than I have over the past few days. It’s unbelievable that our seven pound baby can bring a two-hundred pound man to a screeching halt with one whimper. Yet that is what’s happening.
As I’ve pondered raising our new daughter (we’re now just over a week into parenthood), I’ve realized that there are so many things in life that I can’t take care of for her. While I want to teach her and protect her, there are some things that I can’t teach and so many things I can’t protect her from. So many opportunities for evil.
That scares me
I don’t like to realize that I’m incapable and insufficient. I don’t like the feeling of helplessness. I’d much rather be able to protect my little girl from everything and everybody.
Sure, I could get the stereotypical shotgun to scare off all potential boyfriends. I could try to refuse to let her date until she’s 35. I could homeschool her and keep her inside and away from germs. But if I did that, it might still do no good. It might even cause her harm.
Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
There’s Hope
Then, the other evening, my wife and I were reading through Psalm 1 together. As we were reading, I had all of these fears and inadequacies in mind. And right at the end of our reading, God spoke to me through the Bible.
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.(Psalm 1:6)
We are made righteous in Christ and God is watching over us. We (I) can trust him. He’s all-powerful, all-knowing, and everywhere – and he’s got it.
What Else?
I wonder what other areas of my life I’m trying to control and protect rather than trusting in God. I’m sure he’ll let me know.
How about you – anything you should trust God with?
