This past week was the Ryder Cup. For those that are not golfing enthusiasts, it a fierce competition between US golfers and players from Europe. I am always amazed by the way these professionals “address” their balls. Each of them has a unique set of movements that gets their body ready to strike the ball.
One guy will wiggle his club head ten or fifteen times, and then swing. Another will rear it back and pause to look at the club before he starts his downward swing. Whatever their pattern is, their muscle memory kicks in and allows them to rely on the thousands of hours of practice and reproduce a particular movement without any real conscious thought. They are just “trusting the process.”
Athletes aren’t the only ones that have learned to “trust the process.” Business moguls have the uncanny ability to codify the various aspects of their business plan, performing those tasks over and over. Eventually, they can replicate the procedures at will. They do so by “trusting the process.”
Even a young bride just learning how to cook, leans hard on that recipe as she makes it time and time again. Every time she serves that dish, she is “trusting the process” that it will come out again as a winner.
As you and I follow Jesus, there is an element of “trusting the process” too. We can’t put our confidence in circumstances, they change too frequently. We can’t rely on our own judgment; it is often faulty. What we can do is build “spiritual memory” as we choose to obey, day in and day out.
I think Peter had that process in mind when he penned, 1 Peter 4:19. After a brief discussion about suffering, he wrote, “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”
“Continuing to do good…” is part of trusting the spiritual process. We practice knowing His will. We make it a habit to know what His word says. And we develop spiritual routines that will help us to do His will, His way.
Joshua and his leaders were “leaning into” the process of trusting the Lord for victory. The circumstances for each battle were so different, but the process became familiar.
This week, we too ought to “trust the process:” His will. His way. Listening to His word!
One guy will wiggle his club head ten or fifteen times, and then swing. Another will rear it back and pause to look at the club before he starts his downward swing. Whatever their pattern is, their muscle memory kicks in and allows them to rely on the thousands of hours of practice and reproduce a particular movement without any real conscious thought. They are just “trusting the process.”
Athletes aren’t the only ones that have learned to “trust the process.” Business moguls have the uncanny ability to codify the various aspects of their business plan, performing those tasks over and over. Eventually, they can replicate the procedures at will. They do so by “trusting the process.”
Even a young bride just learning how to cook, leans hard on that recipe as she makes it time and time again. Every time she serves that dish, she is “trusting the process” that it will come out again as a winner.
As you and I follow Jesus, there is an element of “trusting the process” too. We can’t put our confidence in circumstances, they change too frequently. We can’t rely on our own judgment; it is often faulty. What we can do is build “spiritual memory” as we choose to obey, day in and day out.
I think Peter had that process in mind when he penned, 1 Peter 4:19. After a brief discussion about suffering, he wrote, “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”
“Continuing to do good…” is part of trusting the spiritual process. We practice knowing His will. We make it a habit to know what His word says. And we develop spiritual routines that will help us to do His will, His way.
Joshua and his leaders were “leaning into” the process of trusting the Lord for victory. The circumstances for each battle were so different, but the process became familiar.
This week, we too ought to “trust the process:” His will. His way. Listening to His word!
Sherry Worel
Sherry Worel is a Bible teacher at heart and lives a life of ministry. She’s been involved at Coast Hills teaching Women’s LIFE, Bible studies, online courses, devotionals, participating in Upstream conversations, and much more. Having a love for education, Sherry has over 50 years of teaching experience with schools, churches, and mission agencies. As well as earning her Master’s at Talbot Seminary, she rounded out her education with 35 years as Head of School at Stoneybrooke Christian School. Sherry is happiest with a book or fishing pole in hand.